FEATURE
Q&A with Steve Wood, Managing Director of Kukla UK
Join us in this exclusive Q&A session conducted by Chris Porter with our MD, Steve Wood, talking about Kukla UK’s captivating journey from its inception to the present day. Discover the key factors behind Kukla UK’s success and the strategic decisions made in response to Brexit, including creating an “in-house” customs team. We also gain insights into Steve’s personal life and how he unwinds and explores his interests beyond the demanding world of logistics. Read more here: https://kbl.kukla-spedition.com/qa-with-steve-wood-managing-director-of-kukla-uk
Announcing Kukla Beverage Logistics Europe to UK Masterclass on 22 February: Free registration!
We are thrilled to announce the upcoming Kukla Beverage Logistics Europe to UK Masterclass scheduled for 22 February 2024 at 10.30 online, in collaboration with the Wine Merchant magazine. This insightful event will offer a comprehensive, start-to-finish exploration of all stages of the shipping process from Europe to the UK. Attendees will gain valuable insights into the crucial aspects of preparation for shipment, including the information required by forwarders from suppliers, the necessary customs documentation for exporting from the EU and the details of import clearance and delivery to the final destination in the UK.
Registration is free, providing a unique opportunity for industry professionals to gain in-depth knowledge and stay ahead in the dynamic world of beverage logistics. Please keep an eye on Kukla Information Update 2024 and Kukla’s LinkedIn page. We will soon provide a link to webinar registration.
Stay informed with us!
Our communication with you is essential to us. Following the fantastic feedback we received for introducing our Information Update last year, we are continuing on the same path. Check Kukla’s website for situational logistics updates, strikes, issues, and regulations. For your convenience, the page link remains the same throughout the year. We welcome your feedback and are always happy to hear from you. Check our dynamic page dedicated to 2024 news updates here: https://kbl.kukla-spedition.com/information-update-2024
IN THE NEWS
Seafarer safety comes first in the Red Sea
Seafarer safety is paramount in the context of the Red Sea and attacks on international shipping. During a meeting with shipping industry representatives on 18 January, IMO Secretary-General Arsenio Dominguez reiterated the message that seafarers are innocent victims in the volatile Red Sea situation. Secondly, freedom of navigation must be upheld, to guarantee global trade and the flow of goods by sea. Further, there must be caution and restraint to avoid further escalation of the situation in the Red Sea and broader area, Mr. Dominguez said, referencing the UN Security Council Resolution 2722 (2024) on the Red Sea. Read more here: https://imo-newsroom.prgloo.com/news/seafarer-safety-comes-first-in-red-sea
SEA FREIGHT
Australia port strike deadlock continues as government says no intervention
Hopes that the Australian government would help to break the deadlock in the wage negotiations for terminal operator DP World were dashed on Thursday after Australia’s Workplace Relations Minister met with the company and Maritime Union of Australia. Hosting a press conference later in the day, Minister Tony Burke had harsh words for DP World and said both sides needed to negotiate to get a deal done. Read more here: https://www.maritime-executive.com/article/australia-port-strike-deadlock-continues-as-government-says-no-intervention
Number of ships waiting for Panama transit slashed in half
The queue of ships waiting at both ends of the Panama Canal stands at just half the historical average since the waterway expanded back in 2016, highlighting the dramatic shift in seaborne trades in the western hemisphere seen in recent months since authorities slashed daily transit numbers as well as the maximum draft. The latest data from the Panama Canal Authority (ACP) shows there are just 45 ships in the queue awaiting transit, exactly 50% less than the historical average of the last eight years. Read more here: https://splash247.com/ships-waiting-for-panama-transit-slashed-in-half/
Red Sea crisis marks second largest capacity drop after Ever Given grounding
Sea-Intelligence reports that the Red Sea crisis has been going on for a month now, and the current service networks are clearly in flux, with a lot of uncertainty, especially on the services going from Asia to Europe. Read more here: https://container-news.com/red-sea-crisis-marks-second-largest-capacity-drop-after-ever-given-grounding/
ROAD FREIGHT
IRU urges European Commission to address damaging border waiting times
The road transport sector is strongly concerned that additional border control measures introduced by Bulgaria and Romania to fight irregular migration, in the context of accession to the Schengen area, are having disproportionately negative consequences on goods transport and trade. Read more here: https://www.iru.org/news-resources/newsroom/iru-urges-european-commission-address-damaging-border-waiting-times
Parliament, Council agree on EU truck and bus CO₂ targets
The European Parliament and Council agreed on the Commission’s CO₂ emission targets for heavy-duty vehicles. Europe’s co-negotiators reached a provisional political agreement on CO₂ emission standards for heavy-duty vehicles (HDVs). They have agreed to maintain the unrealistic emission reduction targets proposed by the Commission for trucks and coaches: 45% emission reduction target for manufacturers by 2030, escalating to 65% as of 2035, before jumping to 90% starting 2040. Read more here: https://www.iru.org/news-resources/newsroom/parliament-council-agree-overly-idealistic-eu-truck-and-bus-co2-targets
RAIL FREIGHT
2024 brings new Italy-Benelux rail freight connections
Freight convoys running between Italy and the Benelux region are increasing with the beginning of 2024. GTS Rail has increased its Bologna-Zeebrugge frequency from four to six weekly trains. Moreover, starting in February, Contship will upgrade from three to five weekly convoys between Milan and Rotterdam. Read more here: https://www.railfreight.com/railfreight/2024/01/19/2024-brings-new-italy-benelux-rail-freight-connections/
After cutting subsidies, Germany also increases track access charges
DB InfraGo, which took over Germany’s rail network management effective January 2024, plans to increase track access charges by 13,4 per cent starting December this year. The decision follows a substantial 49 per cent cut in subsidies for track access fees, which will probably occur during 2024. Read more here: https://www.railfreight.com/railfreight/2024/01/18/after-cutting-subsidies-germany-also-increases-track-access-charges/
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
Kukla Festive Sips Quiz – Revealing the correct answers!
Our previous newsletter invited you to a global journey of traditional Christmas drinks with the Kukla Festive Sips Quiz! Our questions tested your knowledge of the diverse and flavourful beverages that grace tables during the most beautiful time of the year. Each correct answer earned you one point and was also a bonus question. Read more here: https://kbl.kukla-spedition.com/kukla-festive-sips-quiz-revealing-the-correct-answers
