KUKLA FESTIVE SIPS QUIZ: A global journey of traditional Christmas drinks
Join us this month on a delightful expedition through the world of holiday beverages with the Kukla Festive Sips Quiz! As we traverse continents, we’ll uncover the traditional Christmas drinks that warm hearts and spread joy to celebrations worldwide.
Our quiz invites you to test your knowledge of the diverse and flavourful beverages that grace tables during the most wonderful time of the year. Whether you’re sipping by a crackling fireplace or indulging in a spirited libation with loved ones, the traditions and flavours of Christmas drinks are as varied as the cultures that celebrate them. Click here to take our quiz
IN THE NEWS
Current Operations through Red Sea / Gulf of Aden
In response to escalating risks in the Red Sea, shipping carriers are adapting their operations, resulting in a dwindling array of expedited transit options. Compounding the predicament, the Panama Canal is grappling with potential delays spurred by an ongoing drought.
In a communication, Freightos revealed that major shipping companies such as ZIM, Hapag-Lloyd, and Maersk are imposing war risk surcharges, ranging between $20 and $100 per container. Additionally, ZIM is implementing elevated rates for circumventing the African route.
The evolving situation is causing congestion of vessels. As carriers either divert or suspend operations in the Red Sea, recent reports from project44 indicate that, as of December 16, approximately 40 ships were in proximity to the strait, with over 100 vessels in the broader area.
The repercussions will lead to extended transit times, particularly for westbound containers, necessitating circumnavigating Africa and adding 7-14 days to the journey. Link to communication from Maersk on the current situation
Transport Secretary announced further measures to improve transport connectivity across the UK
The government’s response to the Union connectivity review includes multimillion-pound funding to improve transport links across the UK. Work on road improvements and rail upgrades will boost business and connectivity across the UK, Transport Secretary Mark Harper announced on 7 December 2023 in his response to Lord Hendy’s Union connectivity review. At the same time, projects in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland will explore options to improve transport links that strengthen connections across communities and the UK, helping to grow the economy. Read more here: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/transport-secretary-announces-further-measures-to-improve-transport-connectivity-across-the-uk
IMO Assembly adopts a Strategic Plan and appoints a new Secretary-General
The 33rd session of the IMO Assembly took place from November 27th to December 6th, 2023. For the first time, the plenary sessions of the Assembly were streamed live to the public. On the first day of the Assembly, the annual IMO Awards Ceremony was held. In the following days, the Strategic Plan for the period of 2024 to 2029 was adopted. The Assembly also approved the Organization’s budget and work programme for 2024 and 2025 and elected a new 40-member IMO Council for the 2024-2025 biennium. Moreover, the Assembly approved the appointment of Mr. Arsenio Antonio Dominguez Velasco from the Republic of Panama as the IMO Secretary-General for an initial four-year term starting on 1 January 2024. Read more here: https://seanews.co.uk/maritime-events/imo-assembly-has-approved-a-strategic-plan-budget-and-resolutions/
HRH The Princess Royal joins the celebration of seafarers at The Mission to Seafarers Christmas Service
The vital role played by seafarers and their families was celebrated by The Mission to Seafarers (MtS) at their annual ‘Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols’, which took place in London, with Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal, President of MtS, among the guests. The annual carols service was held once again at All Hallows by the Tower church in London, followed by a reception held at nearby Trinity House. Read more: HRH The Princess Royal joins celebration of seafarers at The Mission to Seafarers Christmas Service | Hellenic Shipping News Worldwide
SEA FREIGHT
Maersk Containership Has Near Miss with Missile Fired from Yemen
A Hong Kong-registered containership operating for Maersk reportedly had a close call with a missile fired from Yemen at midday on Thursday, December 14. United Kingdom Trade Operations (UKMTO) is citing a report from an unnamed vessel that sighted an explosion approximately 50 meters off its port quarter in the area of the Bab el-Mandeb Strait. Read more here: https://www.maritime-executive.com/article/maersk-containership-has-near-miss-with-missile-fired-from-yemen
Urgent talks underway to ensure safety in the Red Sea
Urgent diplomatic discussions are going on around the world to ensure the chaotic scenes recorded in the southern Red Sea in recent weeks do not escalate further. The Houthis from Yemen, backed by Iran, entered the Israeli/Hamas war on the side of the Palestinians a month ago and have since harassed many ships passing near its waters with drones, missiles and guns, as well as taking one car carrier and its 25 crew hostage. Read more here: Urgent talks underway to ensure safety in the Red Sea – Splash247
US ports losing direct access to South America, reports Sea-Intelligence
Even with the underlying services from North America-East Coast South America & West Coast South America unchanged pre- and post-pandemic, the number of total and distinct port-pair connections decreased substantially during the latter stages of the pandemic, according to the latest Sea-Intelligence report. “Had the total port-pair connections decreased while the distinct port-pair connections remained stable, we would have attributed this decrease to blank sailings. However, since both metrics declined, it shows a combination of both pandemic-related blank sailings as well as a consolidation of the carriers’ service offerings,” explain the Danish analysts. Read more: https://container-news.com/us-ports-losing-direct-access-to-south-america-reports-sea-intelligence/
ROAD FREIGHT
IRU puts road transport industry decarbonisation plan on stage at COP28
Putting operational and economic pragmatism on the agenda, IRU’s Secretary General unpacked commercial road transport’s roadmap to carbon neutrality at the UNFCCC COP28 in Dubai. Speaking on two COP28 panels organised by ERCST and Deloitte, IRU Secretary General Umberto de Pretto has outlined the road transport industry’s collective commitment and roadmap to carbon neutrality but warned delegates on the need to remain practical in order to deliver real change.
IRU has also published a major new research project that assesses the most productive, least disruptive and most cost-effective way for the commercial road transport sector to reach carbon neutrality by 2050. Read more here: https://www.iru.org/news-resources/newsroom/iru-puts-road-transport-industry-decarbonisation-plan-stage-cop28
RAIL FREIGHT
Greece: 23 suspects charged with breaching rail signalling contracts
The European Public Prosecutor’s Office (EPPO) in Greece has charged 23 suspects, 18 of whom are public officials, for crimes related to the execution of traffic control and signalling contracts along the central Greek rail axis Athens-Thessaloniki-Promachonas. The charges are based on evidence from an investigation that the EPPO started in November 2022. According to that evidence, the EPPO informs that it has charged “14 public officials of ERGOSE, a subsidiary of the Hellenic Railways Organisation (OSE), with subsidy fraud and our public officials of the Greek Managing Authority of the EU’s Operational Programme for Transport Infrastructure, Environment and Sustainable Development with misappropriation of funds.” Read more here: https://www.railfreight.com/railfreight/2023/12/14/greece-23-suspects-charged-with-breaching-rail-signalling-contracts/
Stay up-to-date with our LIVE Sailing Schedule website page
The Sailing Schedule is updated weekly or as needed, so please bookmark it and refer to it when you need the information. Read more here: https://kbl.kukla-spedition.com/sailing-schedule
Track Santa around the world
Santa Claus is getting ready for his worldwide journey, and on December 24th, we will track his magical flight around the globe, spreading joy and festive cheer. It’s going to be a fun adventure, so mark your calendars and get ready to welcome the jolly man in red with open arms! Track Santa here: https://www.noradsanta.org/en/
