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As global supply chain players await the outcome of China-US trade talks, green logistics and digital innovation initiatives continue to proliferate. Customers today increasingly demand experience, or at least awareness, of innovative platforms, IoT technology, alternative fuels or sustainability solutions. Major European ports are leading the way toward greener transportation, while the continent’s railways are adding more trains and undertaking regional expansion to address stakeholders’ concerns.
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Worldwide blockchain logistics market to total $2.7bn in 2024 |
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The global blockchain supply chain market will be worth $2.67bn in 2024, up from just $85.7m in 2018, according to new forecasts. The smart contract segment of the market is expected to see the fastest growth over the forecast period.
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Best source:
Supply & Demand Chain Executive
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Antwerp and Zeebrugge ports launch two-year merger talks |
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The ports of Antwerp and Zeebrugge have begun merger discussions that are expected to conclude in two years’ time. A study conducted by Deloitte and Belgian law firm Laga found that collaborations would help the ports to manage future challenges, including digitalisation.
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Best source:
Ship Technology
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Chengdu trial train arrives in Bettembourg after 14 days |
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A test train that departed Chengdu’s Qingbaijiang International Railway Port in central China on October 19 arrived at the Bettembourg-Dudelange Intermodal Terminal on November 2. The train, carrying automotive and electronic components as well as textiles, was a trial run for a planned regular China-Luxembourg commercial rail link, part of the Chinese Belt and Road Initiative.
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Best source:
Paperjam
(in French) |
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Groupe CAT signs up to blockchain alliance |
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French vehicle logistics firm Groupe CAT has joined the Vinturas blockchain grouping of leading European logistics service providers, which includes Axess Logistics, Koopman Logistics, NVD and AutoLink. The platform, based on IBM blockchain technology, enable OEMs and fleet owners to manage flows on a near-real time basis.
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Best source:
Ledger Insights
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CMA CGM takes stake in French logistics start-up Wing |
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CMA CGM Ventures has acquired a stake in French urban logistics start-up Wing. In addition, CEVA Logistics has concluded a commercial partnership with Wing, and will make space available in its warehouses to the start-up. Wing specialises in collecting, picking, packing and delivering for e-commerce clients.
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Best source:
Handy Shipping Guide
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Uber Freight rolls out Polish service |
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Uber Freight has launched commercial digital brokerage services in Poland. The market is the company’s third in Europe after the Netherlands and Germany, with further rollouts planned for the region.
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Best source:
Actu Transport Logistique
(in French) |
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Traxens joins Rotterdam IoT initiative |
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Container tracking firm Traxens has joined the Port of Rotterdam’s Container 42 internet of things platform. Traxens will deploy its sensors in containers to track variables such as vibration, acceleration, position, pollution, temperature and humidity.
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Best source:
SupplyChainDrive
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K+N opens upgraded Belgian pharma hub |
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Kuehne + Nagel has inaugurated its upgraded pharma distribution centre in Geel, Belgium. The 22,000-square-metre facility, located close to both Brussels and Liège airports, has two cold chambers to handle varying temperature requirements. K+N is also building a 15,000-square-metre airside pharma facility at BruCargo, slated to open in the second half of 2020.
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Best source:
The Loadstar
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Principal Real Estate picks up warehouse for new European fund |
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Principal Real Estate Europe has acquired a temperature-controlled warehouse in Amsterdam for its first dedicated, long-income European real estate fund. The fund is expected to have an investment volume of more than €800m over its first five years.
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Best source:
Investment & Pensions Europe Real Assets
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Prologis starts Budapest logistics facility build |
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Prologis has started building a new logistics facility at Prologis Park Budapest-Harbor. The 14,000-square-metre warehouse, scheduled for completion in the second quarter of 2020, will feature LED lighting to reduce electricity consumption significantly.
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Best source:
Budapest Business Journal
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Tristan fund acquires Dutch warehouses |
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Tristan Capital Partners' CCP 5 long-life fund has acquired warehouse assets at Oss and Uden in the Netherlands for €25m. For Tristan, the investments are a first step towards assembling a logistics platform consisting of medium-sized warehouses at locations across the Netherlands.
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Best source:
Investment & Pensions Europe Real Assets
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Brussels gives green light to Dutch rail freight upgrade |
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The European Commission has approved €22.2m of state support to upgrade traffic management equipment on freight locomotives in the Netherlands. The Commission says the initiative contributes to the deployment of the European Rail Traffic Management System and to the creation of a Single European Railway Area, supporting the shift of freight traffic from road to rail.
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Best source:
Eureporter
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CFL to roll out long train service to Kiel |
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CFL Cargo will start a 670m-long train service in January between the Bettembourg-Dudelange Intermodal Terminal and the Port of Kiel. The move follows an upgrade of the port’s Meimersdorf shunting station to accommodate longer trains.
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Best source:
Word Cargo News
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Cargolux passes IATA safety audit |
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Cargolux has passed its latest IATA Operational Safety Audit audit. The air freight carrier currently operates a fleet comprising 14 B747-8 freighters and 16 B747-400 freighters.
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Best source:
Aircargo News
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Tigers new Rotterdam hub to support growth in e-commerce |
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Tigers International Logistics is building a new hub in Rotterdam to support e-commerce sector growth and to help companies looking to split inventory between the UK and the EU in preparation for Brexit. The new 550,000-square-foot facility, due to be completed in April 2020, will replace Tigers’ existing Rotterdam hub.
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Best source:
American Shipper
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Liège Airport bucks European cargo trend |
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Liège Airport handled 84,000 tonnes of cargo in October, its highest-ever monthly total. The airport said that while the European freight market has now declined for 10 straight months, Liège is able to boast year-to-date growth of 3%.
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Best source:
Aircargo News
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Amazon Germany trials combined shipping service |
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Amazon is testing new combined shipping services in Germany. The company will combine multiple orders within a seven-day period from single Prime customers in one delivery.
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Best source:
Internet World Business
(in German) |
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Maersk and Hapag-Lloyd hike fuel fees ahead of IMO2020 |
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Maersk and Hapag-Lloyd have announced new fuel charges to offset the transition to more expensive fuel required under the IMO2020 maritime low-sulphur regulations which are due to take effect January 1. Hapag-Lloyd says switching fuels will inevitably result in higher short-term fuel prices, with volatility likely to increase, especially during the transition period.
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Best source:
SupplyChainDive
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Antwerp starts container expansion consultation |
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The Port of Antwerp has launched a consultation process over the proposed expansion of container handling capacity at the port, with the principal aim of gauging interest among potential concessionaires. The Flemish government will make the final decision on expansion plans based on criteria such as reducing emissions and the sustainable and efficient use of space.
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Best source:
SteelGuru
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Zeebrugge to boost port connectivity by building 5G network |
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The Port of Zeebrugge is building a private, high-speed 5G network that it believes will boost innovation by enabling increased use of the internet of things, autonomous vessels, augmented reality and drones at the port. The first phase of the project will improve connectivity with tugboats, air pollution detectors, cameras and quay sensors.
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Best source:
Port News
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Maersk heads up new maritime fuel initiative |
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Maersk, Wallenius Wihelmsen and Copenhagen University have joined forces with shippers including BMW, H&M, Levi Strauss and Marks & Spencer to form the LEO Coalition. The new group will examine the environmental and commercial viability of LEO fuel – a lignin-ethanol blend – for marine shipping. The plan is to test the fuel in vessels in the second quarter of next year.
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Best source:
Supply & Demand Chain Executive
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Rotterdam port authority looks into green trucking |
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The Port of Rotterdam Authority and Transport en Logistiek Nederland have commissioned a study to look into the feasibility of making road container transport around the port area more sustainable. The port wants to make journeys carbon-free by 2040, and promote the use of battery-electric trucks.
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Best source:
Port Technology
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