DHL Beats FedEx and UPS to Win Great Package Race
May 3rd, 2007
A little friendly competition among the package delivery services is sometimes interesting, especially when it appears to be a normal delivery request and no one knows they’re competing.
DHL, was determined to be the winner of the Great Package Race for 2007. Conducted by Georgia Institute of Technology’s Stewart School of Industrial and Systems Engineering’s supply chain program, DHL was the only transportation provider to successfully deliver all five of the packages shipped, and was the first to three of the destinations, including: Tikrit, Iraq; Apia, Samoa; and Yangon, Myanmar.
Under the direction of Professor John Bartholdi, students in Georgia Tech’s supply chain program shipped similar packages to five remote locations around the world and assessed how each of the top three express carriers performed. None of the transportation providers were aware of the test. The race began with phone calls to all three carriers to find out if they saw difficulties shipping to any of their destinations. Packages were shipped with each of the three carriers to all five locations, including: Apia, Samoa; Florianopolis, an island off the coast of southern Brazil; Harare, the capital of Zimbabwe; Tikrit, Iraq; and Yangon, the former capital of Myanmar.
Of each of the three major carriers, DHL, FedEx, and UPS, DHL was the only participating carrier that confirmed its ability to ship to all five locations. “We are not surprised to see that DHL’s global leadership was clearly demonstrated through this independent test,” said Lindsey Birley, executive vice president for international products and services, DHL Express. “Our international footprint and our commitment to customer service give DHL the ability and flexibility to ship not only to hundreds of cities and ports, but to get shipments to even the world’s most remote destinations.”
According to the Georgia Tech race report, “Each year we explore the boundaries of parcel delivery by sending packages to challenging locations. DHL, which nearly won last year, was the clear winner this year. In addition, our office staff said DHL’s phone staff was particularly helpful. DHL was also the only carrier able to tell us the final costs upon delivery.”
Link: Georgia Tech
Container Yachts Builds Sailboats to Fit
April 2nd, 2007
Is there anything the shipping container can’t do? It can easily fill the shelves at WalMart but Container Yachts has built a business around the idea of building a sailboat that fits into a standard 40 foot container. Customers who purchase their Far Harbour 39 can ship it anywhere in the world. If they have the desire to sail around distant seas but do not have the time for an ocean crossing, they can pack up their sailboat for snug and safe passage. Later, when they arrive at their destination, their boat is waiting for their leisurely vacation.
The boat was drawn up by world famous designer Robert Perry who saw an opportunity to make global sailing the province of many who would otherwise be left to charter a boat when they arrived or not sail at all.
Link: Far Harbour 39 by Container Yachts
Yamaha Employees Exporting Helicopter Arrested
February 23rd, 2007Three senior employees of Yamaha Motor in Japan were arrested trying to export an unmanned helicopter to China. Helicopters of this type could be used for a variety of military purposes.
The helicopter, when it is equipped with a camera, is designed for remote control operation even in locations where visibility is poor. It is also equipped with a global positioning system.
The export of unmanned helicopters that can carry fuel and at least 20 liters of other liquids, and have the capability to fly automatically, must be authorized by the ministry.
This is one more sign that all countries are increasingly monitoring and enforcing a crackdown on unauthorized exports. When in doubt, ask before shipping.
Link: Mainichi Daily News
MARAD Launches America’s Marine Highway Initiative
February 20th, 2007
MARAD, the Maritime Administration, is launching America’s Marine Highway Initiative to highlight and promote the U.S. Marine Transportation System (MTS) and along with the launch, they have created a new website to serve as a clearinghouse for the waterborne transportation community and to facilitate the sharing of information in an effort to promote waterborne transportation as a viable mode for our economy.
MARAD press release follows:
The leadership of the Maritime Administration (MARAD) has been engaged in an on-going effort to address landside congestion through the accelerated use of waterborne transportation alternatives - specifically America’s Marine Highway Initiative.
Our marine highway system is cost effective for the movement of high volume and break bulk freight, is more fuel efficient per cargo ton mile, and is a vital alternative transportation mode in a natural disaster. When fully integrated into the nation’s transportation system, our marine highways will permit enhanced freight flow, expand freight capacity, reduce congestion, and improve air quality. Read the rest of this entry »
ASCO Freight Management Project Forwarding Award
February 8th, 2007The British International Freight Association (BIFA) recently recognized the winners of its Freight Service Awards during an annual ceremony with award recipients in 9 categories. The winner of the Project Forwarding Award was ASCO Freight Management.
From the ASCO press release:
ASCO Freight Management has won the Project Forwarding Award for 2006 from the British International Freight Association (BIFA).
The competition, in its 18th year, encourages and recognizes special achievements in standards, professionalism and customer focus in different sectors of the freight industry. ASCO previously received the Special Services Award from BIFA in 2005.
During the Awards ceremony, host, BBC News Journalist Stephen Sackur, said “One of ASCO’s main priorities in providing logistics services for the construction of a new-build oil production platform was health and safety resulting in zero incidents throughout the project’s three year duration. Careful consolidation also meant fewer vessel requirements and subsequent cost savings to the customer. The judging panel selected ASCO as the winner due to the level of financial saving made to their customer whilst ensuring that the highest standards of health and safety was adhered to within this extremely complex, high-tech project.”
AFM is an international freight forwarding company with offices in Aberdeen, Houston and Calgary which specialises in the provision of project forwarding services to the global energy sector.
Link: BIFA
