Canada rail strikes live blog: Authority orders arbitration between Teamsters and rail companies Teamsters Canada Rail Conference (TCRC) union has appealed against the arbitration that ended the work stoppage at CN and CPKC Megan Kelly Marcus Williams
Ceva integrates Bolloré Logistics following CMA CGM buyout Following its acquisition by CMA CGM for €4.85 billion ($5.24 billion) at the end of February this year, Bolloré Logistics is being absorbed into the Ceva Logistics division, adding scale in air and ocean freight services, according to Ceva. Marcus Williams
Red Sea crisis resurrects China-Europe rail freight transit through Russia The ongoing Houthi attacks in the Red Sea have given the transit of automotive freight from China to Europe a second breath, according to state-run railway monopoly, Russian Railways (RZD) Vladislav Vorotnikov
Duvenbeck expands into Benelux through Schotpoort Logistics takeover Logistics firm Duvenbeck is expanding its network to include the Benelux region (the economic union of Belgium, the Netherlands and Luxembourg) through its takeover of Dutch firm Schotpoort Logistics. Megan Kelly
Ready for any crisis, anywhere in Volkswagen Group’s supply chain Crisis management has become de rigueur for Group Logistics, and has led to changes in capacity planning, visibility and mindset across the company. Christopher Ludwig
Maersk opts for land bridge due to Panama Canal drought Container shipping line Maersk has changed its services due to the ongoing drought affecting the Panama Canal and is instead opting for a ‘land bridge’ to mitigate disruptions. Megan Kelly
Red Sea blog: Live updates Houthi attacks on vessels passing through the Red Sea are increasing, causing container ship and ro-ro operators to reroute vessels to avoid danger. Follow Automotive Logistics’ live blog below for the latest updates. Megan Kelly
Vessel operators divert ships from Red Sea following Houthi attacks Container ship and ro-ro operators have rerouted vessels to avoid danger to crew and cargo in the Red Sea following a number of attacks on ships by Houthi militants in Yemen since October last year. Marcus Williams
Global shipping solutions with trust on board PARTNER CONTENTThis content was paid for by Sallaum Lines and produced in partnership with Automotive LogisticsWe explore how international ocean transportation company Sallaum Lines has carved a niche as a leading expert in roro cargo shipping services on a global scale. Automotive Logistics
ICL CEO steps down, firm acquired by Valsoft FVL visibility platform ICL, Inc. has been acquired by Canadian software acquisition firm Valsoft. Megan Kelly
LTL provider Yellow files for bankruptcy, drives competitors to seek more capacity Nashville, Tennessee-based less-than-truckload (LTL) shipping firm Yellow Corp has filed for bankruptcy under voluntary Chapter 11 Petitions, blaming losses from delayed operational changes and conflict with the Teamsters Union. Around 30,000 jobs are expected to be lost. Megan Kelly
AI analytics ranks factory fires as top disruption to automotive supply chains A supply chain mapping company using artificial intelligence (AI) found that the automotive sector accounted for 60% of all supply chain disruptions. Megan Kelly
Ceva Logistics to offer carmakers sustainable ro-ro capacity Ceva Logistics has signed a ten-year lease on four new-build ro-ro vessels from its parent company CMA CGM, and will manage and operate them directly. The logistics provider will be able to move 140,000 vehicles annually using the vessels, which will be powered by both LNG and electric battery. Marcus Williams
Canadian Pacific and Kansas City Southern complete merger North American rail freight providers Canadian Pacific (CP) and Kansas City Southern (KCS) have completed the merger they first announced in September 2021. Marcus Williams
Containing the boom after the bust Since it took over Gefco, Ceva Logistics has developed a fifth business division dedicated to finished vehicle logistics and it is now seeing an increase in global demand for containerised vehicle services, writes Marcus Williams Marcus Williams
No light at the end of the tunnel The German rail network is in dire need of restoration but now that work is finally going ahead carmakers are facing a decade of disruption and delay to the movement of parts and finished vehicles Marcus Williams
Ceva completes integration of Gefco’s vehicle logistics business Ceva Logistics has completed the integration of Gefco’s finished vehicle logistics business and set up its own division under the direction of the French logistics provider’s former chief operating officer Emmanuel Cheremetinski. Marcus Williams
Gefco purchase contributes to quarterly gains for CMA CGM CMA CGA’s purchase of Gefco this year helped lift its third quarter revenue to $19.9 billion. The global container logistics provider said the acquisition, which was approved in July, contributed $750m to its logistics revenue for the period. Logistics revenue totalled $4.34 billion in the third quarter of the year. Marcus Williams
Agility in the matrix at BLG BLG Logistics has reorganised its Contract division as part of a new tactical project called Roadmap 2027, directing the company toward greater resilience and profitability. Matthias Magnor, head of Contract at the company, outlines the regional realignment and reorganised market focus Marcus Williams
RPM launches operations in Mexico Logistics provider RPM has officially launched operations in Mexico this week, with a focus on providing services to carmakers and suppliers. Its expansion in the region will be led by cross-border logistics, working with third-party solutions. Hazel Southwell
Paul Duncan to replace Cindy Sanborn at Norfolk Southern Paul Duncan will replace Cindy Sanborn as executive vice-president and chief operating officer (COO) at US rail company Norfolk Southern at start of next year. Duncan moves from his current role as senior vice-president of transportation and network operations at the Class 1 provider of freight services. Marcus Williams
CMA CGM will integrate Gefco into Ceva Logistics Following CMA CGM’s takeover of French logistics provider Gefco earlier this year, the global container shipping line has announced that Gefco will be integrated into its Ceva Logistics division. The move is designed to strengthen Ceva Logistics services in Europe and advance CMA CGM’s goal of providing end-to-end shipping and logistics services. Marcus Williams
BLG upbeat on performance despite automotive losses In its latest annual financial report, BLG Logistics reports earnings in its Automobile division that are significantly below target because of continued problems in the automotive industry. However, earnings were positive and the company is investing to digitalise operations and make them more sustainable. Marcus Williams
CMA CGM buys Gefco ahead of sanctions threat Container shipping line CMA CGM has bought French logistics provider Gefco for an undisclosed sum. The buyout follows an earlier statement from Gefco that it was taking back the 75% stake in its business that Russian Railways bought in 2012 for €800m ($869m). Marcus Williams Jason Dunn
VW extends contract with Unipart Logistics in UK Volkswagen Group has extended its contract with Unipart Logistics for aftermarket services in the UK and Ireland for a further two years. The logistics provider has been working with VW in the UK since 2018. Marcus Williams
Hyundai Glovis signs venture with BLG Logistics at Bremerhaven As of January 2022 Hyundai Glovis will be using the port of Bremerhaven in Germany as its hub for vehicles in transit from Asia to Europe in a new deal signed with BLG Logistics. Marcus Williams
Gefco buys UK-based vehicle services provider XPAuto French logistics company Gefco has bought XPAuto, which provides fleet management, vehicle logistics and quality services in the UK. Marcus Williams
Jaguar Land Rover signs five-year contract with Unipart in US Unipart Logistics is managing a purpose-built aftermarket parts distribution centre in Mickleton, New Jersey as part of a new five-year contract signed with Jaguar Land Rover (JLR). The move supports JLR’s expansion into the north-east of the US. Marcus Williams
Gefco invests in UK sequencing centre to support Jaguar Land Rover Gefco has expanded its operations in the Merseyside region of the UK with the opening of a 16,350 sq.m logistics sequencing centre next to its existing facility in Speke. Marcus Williams
Comprehensive Logistics takes over Global Automotive Partners NA Comprehensive Logistics has bought the North American division of Global Automotive Partners and, in doing so, added a German luxury carmaker and its tier suppliers to its customer base. Marcus Williams
DSV Panalpina buys Global Integrated Logistics for $4.1 billion Logistics giant DSV Panalpina is buying Global Integrated Logistics (GIL), the freight forwarding and contract logistics division of Agility Logistics. The latest acquisition positions DSV as one of the top three transport and logistics providers globally. Marcus Williams
XPO spinoff GXO could see big gains in warehouse automation GXO Logistics has debuted on the New York Stock Exchange, with around 5% of the contract logistics market in North America and Europe. It has its eyes set on warehouse automation growth, with automotive as a potential growth area. Christopher Ludwig
Uber Freight says Transplace buyout will transform logistics landscape Uber Freight, the logistics division of the ride-hailing and food delivery provider, is buying Transplace from its current owner TPG Capital for $2.25 billion. Transplace is one the largest managed transport service and logistics technology providers in North America, with a well-established offering to the automotive industry. Marcus Williams
DP World buys logistics specialist Syncreon Container terminal giant DP World has bought third-party logistics provider Syncreon in a deal valued at $1.2 billion. The transaction is expected to be complete by the second half of this year. Marcus Williams
Smart tools for sustainable logistics at Hellmann Hellmann Worldwide Logistics steered a careful course through the Covid crisis last year and, with Monika Thielemann-Hald at the helm of its automotive logistics division, the company is well-positioned to continue its drive toward sustainable regional expansion and technological innovation. Marcus Williams reports Marcus Williams
Toyota forced to suspend production in Japan in June Toyota has been forced to suspend production next month at two plants in Japan because of a shortage of semiconductors. Marcus Williams
Carmakers forced to extend shutdowns because of microchip shortage Ford and GM have been forced to extend assembly plant closures because of a shortage in the supply of semiconductors, a problem that continues to disrupt vehicle production globally. Marcus Williams
Cédric Chacon drives integration and talent at Gefco UK Gefco UK appointed a new managing director at the start of this year. Despite taking the helm during a stormy period, Cédric Chacon, a Gefco veteran, has ambitious plans to get the different divisions working together more closely and culture the sort of brand loyalty amongst customers that Apple is used to. Illya Verpraet reports Illya Verpraet
Monika Thielemann-Hald takes over as global head of automotive logistics at Hellmann Monika Thielemann-Hald has joined Hellmann Worldwide Logistics as global head of automotive logistics, replacing Martin Wehner who has moved to a new role at the company as chief commercial officer Europe. Marcus Williams
Spate of violent attacks against trucks in South Africa threatens automotive industry Gavin du Venage
Market sharing: New rental platform for underused trucks Uber and Airbnb have led the way in the sharing economy, but Ryder has now launched an asset-sharing platform for commercial vehicles Victoria Johns
Groupe PSA report: A partnership of choice for Gefco and PSA Having signed an €8 billion contract with its former owner PSA, Gefco is keen to emphasise its growing independence both within and outside the automotive sector Christopher Ludwig
Canada’s Metro Supply Chain buys emergency freight provider Evolution Time Critical Chris Ludwig Christopher Ludwig
Audi special reports: A global outlook Audi is exporting European best practices to support growing production ventures as far afield as China and Mexico Christopher Ludwig
