Metsä Board Concludes Logistics Agreements for Kemi Board Mill in Finland
"Efficient export logistics is a key factor in paperboard production. We require efficient and low-emission solutions from our chosen partners in logistics," says Timo Ahonen, VP, Kemi Board mill. The signed agreement is a continuation of an agreement signed earlier by Metsä Group for the transportation of products from the bioproduct mill under construction in Kemi, and has a part in ensuring efficient and environmentally friendly logistics solutions between Metsä Group's Kemi integrated mill and the Ajos harbour.
MSC and Maersk to Discontinue 2M Alliance in 2025
In a joint statement, CEO Vincent Clerc of A. P. Moller - Maersk, and CEO Soren Toft of MSC say: “MSC and Maersk recognize that much has changed since the two companies signed the 10-year agreement in 2015. Discontinuing the 2M alliance paves the way for both companies to continue to pursue their individual strategies. Georgia Ports Authority Names Flavio Batista as Vice President of Sales and Marketing
“We’re delighted to add Flavio to our team,” said Cliff Pyron, Chief Commercial Officer at GPA. “His depth of knowledge and the energy he brings to this new position will continue and strengthen the customer-centered focus that has been a hallmark of Georgia Ports.” Batista comes to GPA from the Wallenius Wilhelmsen Group, an ocean carrier focused on developing sustainable shipping and logistics solutions for manufacturers of cars, trucks, heavy equipment and specialized cargo. Kruger Energy’s First Two All-Electric Class 8 Tractor-Trailers Now on the Road
These are among the first all-electric class 8 vehicles operating in Canada, and the first in the Canadian tissue industry. The vehicles have been branded with visuals illustrating Kruger Energy’s activities related to the development and management of renewable energy power assets. The two electric trucks will replace one standard diesel truck and will enable the Company to reduce its GHG emissions by 380 tons of CO2 per year. Spotlight: Domtar’s Supply Chain & Transportation Logistics
Our supply chain and transportation logistics professionals acted with agility and innovation to find new ways to get our customers their pulp products when every mode of transportation was bogged down, slowing the movement of goods throughout the world. At Domtar, the shortage of vessel space, containers, rail cars and over-the-road trucks during and after the pandemic created new shipping challenges. Goods that couldn’t be shipped right away needed to be stored. At times, we held more than 100,000 tons of backlogged pulp product at our mills waiting to be exported. Canfor Pulp to Permanently Close Kraft Pulp Line at Prince George Mill
The closure of the pulp line will result in a reduction of 280,000 tonnes per year of market kraft pulp. Canfor pulp said the Specialty Paper facility at the site will continue to operate. "In recent years, several sawmills have permanently closed in the Prince George region due to reductions in the allowable annual cut and challenges accessing cost-competitive fibre," explained Kevin Edgson, President and CEO of Canfor Pulp. International Forest Products Promotes Michael Collins to Senior Vice President
Collins joined IFP in 2008 and has served in a wide variety of roles, including logistics, sales operations and trading. He will continue to oversee IFP’s domestic containerboard trading; however, as part of his new role, he will also focus on strategies to improve IFP’s operational efficiency and to prepare the company for future growth. Metsä Group and VR Intensify Their Cooperation on Sustainability
In addition, Metsä Group aims to transfer some of its current road transports to railways. Wagenborg Orders Fourth EasyMax Vessel with Royal Niestern Sander Shipyard
According to Wagenborg, the repeat order fits perfectly into the production process at the yard, as the construction of the third Easymax is currently in full swing. This sister ship of the MV ‘Egbert Wagenborg’ and MV ‘Máxima’ is expected to be delivered by the end of 2023. Euroports Finland Buys Substantial Part of BB Logistics Oy
BB Logistics is a fast-growing, reliable logistics service provider operating in five ports in Finland: Kemi, Oulu, Kristiinankaupunki, Kaskinen and Hamina. The company has 40 employees, who will continue to work for BB Logistics. Port of Antwerp-Bruges Provides Update on Certified Pick up
A Clear Customs LightCertified Pick up brings users more transparency about the delivery process of a container. Customs status is an important factor in this. UPM in Final Phases of Construction on Its Eucalyptus Pulp Mill in Uruguay
While the project work continues intensively, the finalization of the construction works is an important milestone in the project. Since the investment decision in July 2019, over 20,000 people have been involved in the various construction sites related to the growth investment, including the construction of the Paso de los Toros mill, the pulp terminal in the port of Montevideo and the 11 housing areas around Paso de los Toros. Georgia Ports Authority to Renovate Ocean Terminal Docks at Savannah
GPA plans to shift breakbulk cargo carried by Wallenius Wilhelmsen Ocean to Colonel’s Island Terminal in Brunswick. Construction has started on 360,000 square feet of dockside warehousing that will serve auto processing, as well as three additional buildings and 85 acres of auto storage space on the south side of the island. The 200-acre Ocean Terminal facility will be modified in two phases. Södra Launches Major Initiative to Electrify Transportation
Södra is currently a net producer of electricity and is aiming to reach net-zero emissions of greenhouse gases by 2040. A natural step in this process is to electrify the vehicle fleet and operations. Parts of the mills’ vehicle fleet already run on electricity, including electric forklifts at the Värö and Långasjö sawmills. This work will now enter the next phase and Södra is launching a project for the large-scale electrification of internal and external transportation. The project includes the electrification of logging and chip trucks in Södra’s own haulage business as well as vehicles at mills. Euroports Inaugurates Three New Berths for Forest Products at Its Gaolan Terminal in South China
The new area grants Euroports a total of five berths for forest products operations. Earlier this year Euroports built a new warehouse in Gaolan designed to optimize breakbulk in – container out operations, allowing the port operator to better serve destinations for containerized cargo in China and Southeast Asia. OneFortyOne’s Kaituna’s Woodchip Sets Sail from New Zealand to Japan
Woodchip has been accumulating at Shakespeare Bay over the last three months, in preparation for the loading of the Southern Star Vessel which docked on Monday, Nov. 7 and departed Wednesday, Nov. 9. Another vessel is planned for the new year of which woodchip is now being accumulated. Port Marlborough has been a critical partner in providing logistical support for the trial operation, including 4,000m2 (0.4 ha) in the port’s Shakespeare Bay log yard currently for the operation. Metsä Group Says Port Warehouse and Private Track Project for Kemi Bioproduct Mill on Schedule
The new 110 kV power line has now been completed, and it will be deployed when the mill comes online. Bioelectricity generated by the mill will be transmitted to the national grid along the new power line. The mill will produce 2.0 TWh of renewable energy annually, which is equivalent to 2.5 per cent of Finland’s overall electricity production. The autonomous cranes in the woodyard have reached roof height. The electric cranes will unload wood arriving by train and lorry independently. Euroports Rauma Handles Terminal Operations for Metsä Fibre’s New Sawmill
The sawmill’s location enables smooth logistics to transport the sawn timber to customers through the Port of Rauma. The new sawmill does not have its own warehouses. Instead, finished sawn timber is packaged and automatically loaded onto lorries, which transport it directly to the port. Euroports Rauma Oy is responsible for the sawmill’s terminal operations. IFPTA's New President Bob Davidson Welcomed by Members and Guests At Transport Symposium 24
Mr. Mutz will continue to serve as secretary/treasurer. In addition to the Association’s new president, four new directors were elected to the Board by the membership:
The following directors continue to serve their terms:
TS 24 took place September 18-20, 2022 at the Sawgrass Marriott Resort and Spa in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida. IFPTA’s Transport Symposium is the longest running conference and exhibition dedicated to the global forest products logistics industry. Brought to you by Fastmarkets, in association with IFPTA, the event brings together all the key players throughout the pulp and paper supply chain. Our conference sessions are focused on keeping attendees updated on trending topics in worldwide transport, materials handling and distribution of forest products, while the event’s exhibitions and networking receptions are available for meeting industry colleagues and forging new partnerships. SCA Announces Beginning of Land Construction in Tunadal Port
The project is part of SCA’s investment of some SEK 460 million ($54.7 million) in Tunadal Port between 2021 and 2024, which was announced in February of 2021. At that time, SCA explained that investments in its Östrand pulp mill, in addition to the ongoing investments in pulp production at its Ortviken industrial site, will more than double the volume of pulp to be shipped from the Sundsvall region.
UPM Inaugurates Its New Deep Sea Pulp Terminal in the Port of Montevideo
The new pulp terminal is located in the newly developed deep sea port in Montevideo, and it will have a direct rail connection to the new UPM Paso de los Toros mill. In the future, all UPM pulp from Uruguay will be shipped with fully loaded ocean vessels directly from Uruguay. Metsä Fibre’s State-of-the-Art Sawmill Starts in Rauma, Finland
Construction of the Rauma sawmill started in the spring of 2020, and the value of the investment is approximately EUR 260 million. This is the largest sawmill investment ever in Finland. The Rauma sawmill is a worldwide forerunner in technology, efficiency and operating models. Technological innovations such as machine vision, self-learning artificial intelligence and integrated information systems that control the sawline’s various functions provide improved conditions for the production of sawn timber of consistent quality and the sawmill’s industrial efficiency. JAXPORT to Serve as Host Port for International Forest Products Supply Chain Event
Organized by Fastmarkets RISI, in association with the International Forest Products Transport Association (IFPTA), PPI Transport Symposium 24 is September 18-20, 2022, at the Sawgrass Marriott Resort and Spa in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida. Brazil's Pulp and Paper Sector Sees Growth in Production, Exports, in First Half 2022
In the first half of 2022, China remains the main destination for pulp exports produced in Brazil, reaching US$ 1.5 billion traded. Latin America remains Brazil's leading paper buyer and has totaled US$ 966 million in product negotiations. The region is also the foreign market that most acquired wood panels, which totaled US$ 126.3 million. Ponsse Launches New Technology Concept: Electric Forestry Forwarder
The PONSSE EV1 concept has been developed for forwarders with a 15-tonne load-carrying capacity -- the most popular Ponsse forwarder size category. The concept machine features a fully electric powertrain, as well as Epec's power distribution unit and hybrid control unit. The machine's powertrain operates fully with battery energy. Batteries are charged using a Range Extender, which is a combustion engine at this stage of development. Impact of Skyrocketing Fuel Prices on Forest Products Transportation
July 7, 2022 - Rising fuel prices impact everyone’s pocketbook through increased costs which are driving up prices. This increase in cost is especially true for the trucking industry, which is critical to maintaining the supply chain and is often viewed as a barometer of the U.S. economy. While 2020 data from the U.S. Department of Energy Alternative Fuels Data Center shows that the average fuel economy for cars was 24.2 miles/gallon, it was 5.29 miles/gallon for heavy trucks with a gross vehicle weight rating exceeding 33,000 pounds, such as a 5-axle tractor-trailer log truck. As trucks are vital for moving raw forest products from in-woods harvest sites to mill consumers, rising fuel prices significantly impact the cost of those deliveries. Impact of Skyrocketing Fuel Prices on Forest Products Transportation
SCA's Electric Timber Truck from Scania Is Now in Operation
“We have come a long way in the industrial processes that are already today 96 percent fossil-free,” said Hans Djurberg, head of sustainability at SCA. “We are very happy to be able to break new ground together with Scania to make the heaviest transports fossil-free.” SCA said the intention is for the vehicle to transport timber on the stretch between SCA's timber terminal in Gimonäs and the paper mill in Obbola outside Umeå. JAXPORT Completes Final Phase of $100 Million in Berth Improvements at Blount Island
The SSA JCT now features a 47-foot channel depth with 2,400 linear feet of newly rebuilt berthing space capable of simultaneously accommodating two post-Panamax container ships. Arauco to Invest $3 Billion in Construction of New Pulp Mill in Brazil
Arauco has named the initiative "Project Sucuriú." The new mill would have a production capacity of 2.5 million tons of hardwood pulp and would be located 50 km from the municipality of Inocência. Port of Tarragona Sees Maritime Traffic Increase by 7.1% in May
In the accumulated period, January-May, the figures continue to mark a positive trend with a growth of 4.3%, with 13.02 million tonnes moved, compared to 2021. It continues with a positive trend in the group of goods 'paper and paper pulp' with a + 13% with the 67,881 tons moved during this period, which positions this traffic in the best month of May in recent years. Port of Mobile Container Volumes Remain Robust, Intermodal Rail Posts Triple Digit Growth
Uncongested and fluid, the Port’s intermodal rail growth in May exceeded expectations with 208 percent growth compared to May in 2021. Year to date 2022 intermodal rail volumes remained in triple digits with 130 percent growth over the same time-period in 2021. Chinese Demand Drove Global Trade of Hardwood Chips Higher in Early 2022
According to the Wood Resource Quarterly, importation to China reached a new record-high of 14.8 million odmt in 2021, a 12 % increase from the previous year. This rise was a continuation of an unprecedented upward trend that started in 2008 when China imported only one million odmt. International Forest Products Partners in Creation of Global Forest Products AB
Mr. Anderson has more than 25 years of experience in the forest products industry, most recently as CEO of CellMark, and Mr. Rafstedt brings 25 years of financial services experience, including the role of CFO of CellMark. The Biden Administration’s Rail Regulation Efforts Make Little SenseThe Biden Administration should discard a recent proposal to impose reciprocal switching on U.S. railroads.
This trend has increased the number of trucks on the road, which has created congestion, parking problems, and more emissions due to traffic across the country. The recently passed Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act contains $8 billion to boost freight infrastructure and safety programs. The state of Georgia is spending $1.8 billion a year, following a state recommendation that Georgia reduce problems caused by the surfeit of trucks. Hapag-Lloyd Offers New Rail Link from Port of Virginia to US West Coast
The service began operating in mid-April with arrival of the Synergy Antwerp at Norfolk International Terminals. Nearly 1,000 of the vessel’s containers were moved via Norfolk Southern to Chicago where they were switched to another rail carrier that moved them to the ports of Los Angeles and Oakland. LD Celulose Ramping-Up Production at New Dissolving Pulp Mill in Brazil
"This mill is among the most productive and energy-efficient mills in the world. We have adopted the most advanced technologies in the mill, not only in the sustainable production process, but also in the solutions that seek to reduce emissions to the environment," said Luís Künzel, CEO of LD Celulose. Stora Enso Divesting Its Sawmills and Forest Operations in Russia
In addition, the divestment includes Stora Enso’s Russian forest operation which through its harvesting supplies wood to the sawmills. Stora Enso’s assessment is that due to the uncertainties in the Russian market, local ownership and operation can provide a more sustainable long-term solution for these business operations and the employees working there. New MSC ScanBaltic Service Makes First Call to The Port of Philadelphia
MSC first announced the launch of the new weekly service connecting the ScanBaltic with the US East Coast in mid-March. MSC noted that it is the only carrier to provide a direct connection between the two regions, reducing transshipment for customers and providing expedited transit times. Sanctions against Russian Exports will Permanently Alter the Global Trade of Forest Products
In addition, the two major wood certification organizations, FSC and PEFC, have labeled all timber from the two countries as "conflict timber." The removal of the labeling means that the timber cannot be used in certified products, which will impact any country buying wood from Russia and Belarus and manufacturing certified products, e.g., lumber, plywood, pulp, and paper for sales worldwide. Weyerhaeuser to Acquire 80,800 Acres of Timberlands in North and South Carolina
Additionally, the acquisition is expected to deliver portfolio-leading cash flow and harvest tons per acre within the company's Southern Timberlands business. Finland's Exports of Paperboard Grew to EUR 3.3 Billion in 2021
The export value of forest industry products increased by 16% from the previous year in real terms to EUR 13.1 billion. Compared with the previous ten-year average, exports were, however, only 2% higher (deflated using the wholesale price index). In the wood-products industries, exports increased by 42% from the previous year to EUR 3.9 billion, while in the pulp and paper industries exports increased by 8% year-on-year to EUR 9.3 billion. The forest industries accounted for 19% of Finland's total goods exports in 2021. Finland's Exports of Paperboard Grew to EUR 3.3 Billion in 2021
Canfor’s Sawmills and Taylor Pulp Mill in BC Hit by Supply Chain Crisis
The reduced operating schedules will remain in effect for a minimum of four weeks and the company will continue to assess and make adjustments to operating schedules as supply chain conditions evolve. Stora Enso Announces Plans to Divest Four Paper Mills in Europe
Stora Enso’s paper production sites intended for divestment are: Anjala in Finland, Hylte and Nymölla in Sweden, and Maxau in Germany. The assets are high-quality sites for paper and pulp production with strong infrastructure, and skilled and experienced staff. Port of Vancouver Says Trade Steady in 2021 Despite Supply-Chain, Extreme Weather Challenges
In 2021, record container and foreign bulk volumes, as well as strong grain volumes in the first half of 2021, helped maintain cargo volumes through the port, despite a challenging trade landscape and the continued federal deferral of cruise in Canada due to COVID-19. UPM Optimistic About Reaching Agreement Soon with Paperworkers Union in Finland
In the meanwhile, the conciliator will continue the conciliation with the Union and with UPM's other businesses. Paperworkers' Union has now also agreed that all business can run the negotiations parallel instead of having them one by one. Alexander Global Logistics and AD Ports in Talks to Develop Pulp and Paper Terminal in Abu Dhabi
“We are very excited about this project,” said Alexander Hellmers, Vice President of AGL. “We have the strongest belief that the combination of expertise and knowledge of the industry brought into this by Alexander Global Logistics, plus the strategic location, capabilities and resources provided by AD Ports Group, will soon allow the pulp and paper industry to have a world-class terminal to serve customers in the Abu Dhabi hinterland. Work Stoppage Saturday Initiated by TCRC, Not by CP
“We are deeply disappointed that, in the final hours before a legal strike or lockout was to potentially occur, the TCRC Negotiating Committee failed to respond to the company’s latest offer that was presented to them by the federal mediators,” said Keith Creel, CP President and Chief Executive Officer. “Instead, the TCRC opted to withdraw their services before the deadline for a strike or lockout could legally take place. The TCRC is well aware of the damage this reckless action will cause to the Canadian supply chain.” Maersk, Proman Announce Agreement on Green Methanol Supply
As part of today's agreement, Proman will aim to supply Maersk with 100,000 – 150,000 tonnes per year of green methanol from its new 200,000 tonnes per year methanol facility in development in North America. The project will be built by Proman with target start of operations in 2025, producing bio-methanol from non-recyclable forestry residues and municipal solid waste. Proman and Maersk will further collaborate on developing global projects with the aim of producing and delivering green methanol for Maersk's vessels. Meadow Lake Tribal Council Joins Paper Excellence’s Call for CN to Provide More Rail Cars
The pulp mill is dependent on CN, which has failed to adequately transport Meadow Lake mill’s product to ports for months. After exhausting all local storage facilities, Paper Excellence leadership announced a further production slowdown due to the lack of rail service on February 11th. The mill has not operated at full capacity since December. Currently, CN continues to provide less than 40% of requested rail cars and now the mill has had to resort to participating in a CN auction process that drives up prices for the few cars that are available. Russia's Invasion of Ukraine Will Likely Halt Planned Investments in the Russian Forest Industry
Countries like China and India, who have reluctantly supported Russia in the conflict, may also be affected by limited trade sanctions. This development would mainly affect China, which relies on the importation of forest products, including logs, wood chips, lumber, pulp, and paper from North America, Europe, Oceania, and Latin America for domestic use. New Cradle Dedicated to Pulp Handling Undergoes Tests
The commissioning tests are provided for in the implementation license obtained by Suzano from Sema. During the tests, several aspects of the operation in the berth are checked, such as the feasibility of the maneuver and behavior of the vessel, the times between the pilot boarding, the navigation to the port and conclusion of the maneuver, as well as the efficiency of the fenders and mooring systems. Associated British Ports Welcomes Return of Seacon (AG)
The cargo handling, storage and distribution services provider which operates a terminal at the Port of Tilbury (London) is now expanding its operations and is set to return to its roots. As of February 2022, Seacon (SG) will once again operate a forest product terminal at the Port of Garston. Alabama Port Authority to Build Inland Intermodal Transfer Facility at Montgomery
When constructed, the intermodal container transfer facility at Montgomery will be serviced by CSX Transportation (CSXT) Intermodal. The project reestablishes regularly scheduled CSXT Intermodal rail service at the Port of Mobile and provides a foundation to expand intermodal services further inland to support CSXT customers. CSXT will contribute up to $12.5 million toward infrastructure improvements in the facility. Wood Fiber Costs Increased for Softwood Pulp Producers Worldwide in 2021
The most significant price increases have occurred in Western Canada, US South, Latin America, and Oceania. Softwood pulplog prices in the US South were up 9% year-over-year, an unusual jump in a region with relatively small price adjustments historically. Other noteworthy price increases were for softwood chips in Western Canada (+11% y-o-y) and softwood pulplogs in France (+9%), Brazil (+20%), and Chile (+15%).
Paper Excellence Announces Production Slowdown at Meadow Lake Pulp Mill Due to Lack of Railway Service
The mill has the capacity to produce 410,000 tonnes of BCTMP per year, which is exported to customers primarily in Asia. Meadow Lake Mechanical Pulp Inc., which employs 190 people and infuses over $1 million daily into Canada’s economy, is dependent on CN Rail, which has failed to transport Meadow Lake’s pulp production to ports for months. Navis to Supply Euroports with TOS for Bulk and Break-Bulk Terminals
According to Navis, the initial 5 year Master Terminal by Navis plus managed services subscription agreement includes a three-phased plan for several terminals with a targeted go live within 3 years. With a focus on Euroports’ break-bulk facilities, the Navis TOS (terminal operating system) will replace legacy systems, applying standardization for greater consistency and efficiency across Euroports’ network. PhilaPort Receives $246 Million in Funding to Bolster Port Development
In 2016, Governor Wolf announced his Port Development Plan to redevelop underutilized areas of the Port of Philadelphia by investing more than $300 million in the port’s infrastructure, warehousing, and equipment. Critical infrastructure investments included the purchase and implementation of three new super post-Panamax cranes at the Packer Avenue Marine terminal, the building of two new state-of-the-art warehouses, and the development of the SouthPort Auto Terminal, the first new port terminal in more than 45 years. Since implementing the infrastructure improvement plan the port has realized record breaking cargo volumes, nearly 60 percent container growth, and created thousands of new jobs. Senate Introduces Ocean Shipping Reform Bill
The Ocean Shipping Reform Act (OSRA) is similar to legislation that passed overwhelmingly late last year in the U.S. House, though it lacks some of the specifics of the earlier bill. Both bills would give the Federal Maritime Commission authority to initiate rulemakings, making it more difficult for ocean carriers to refuse service to American exporters. Language in the Senate bill is not as strong as the House version on imposing import-export reciprocity on carriers. However, both bills include certification requirements for carriers when imposing demurrage and detention fees. Canada’s Forest Sector Calls for Action on Supply Chain Woes
A resilient and reliable transportation system is critical to Canadian forestry’s ability to meet increasing global demand for our products, keep forestry workers working, and improve economic conditions in rural and northern forestry communities. “There are three main issues we need collective action on – future-ready infrastructure, rail service reliability, and the labour force of tomorrow,” noted Forest Products Association of Canada (FPAC) President and CEO Derek Nighbor. UPM Pulp Takes on North America with New Eucalyptus Pulp Volumes
“With the additional Euca volume, we are ready to develop UPM Pulp into a global market pulp supplier. Therefore, a presence in the third biggest pulp market in the world is just a logical consequence on our journey,” says Forster. Forster notes that UPM Pulp has successfully established itself as a reliable player in the Asia-Pacific region and Europe during the previous decade and is now using this experience to develop its third strategic market. Port of Dundee Welcomes Timber Shipment Direct from China
The large cargo vessel sailed up the Tay direct from the Far East (China) and is one of the largest cargo vessels to be handled at the busy port. The 12,000 packs of plywood were discharged in record time by the expert port team who completed the job in just 15 days. SCA Logistics Opens Its New Terminal at Port of Tilbury in UK
The objective of the move is more efficient distribution, SCA said. SCA explained that the process of integrating SCA’s digital information flow with the Port of Tilbury has been ongoing for some time and mid-January a SCA RoRo vessel leaving from Sweden could make its first call at the port. Bold Moves to Boost European Rail Freight
The European Union has set a bold ambition to reverse this trend. It plans to double freight rail’s modal share by 2030, both to reduce the transport sector’s CO2 emissions and to ease the congestion of major road connections. Achieving this ambition would see freight rail volumes grow by around six percent a year in ton-kilometers (tkm). Read the complete report at McKinsey & Company - Insights AKT Blockade against UPM Not Helping Labor Negotiations with Paperworkers’ Union
According to UPM, AKT’s support measures will be carried out as a blockade in Finnish ports. During the blockade, the stevedores will not handle UPM’s paper and pulp. The blockade begins on 24 January at 06:00. “AKT’s actions do not advance functioning labour markets. AKT is not even a party in the negotiations, which we aim to start with the Paperworkers’ Union,” says Jyrki Hollmén, Vice President, Labour Markets, UPM. Cooper Marine & Timberlands Acquires Seago Lumber Company
“Today, we’re excited to welcome the Seago Lumber team into the Cooper family,” said Angus R. Cooper III, President of Cooper Marine & Timberlands. “The addition of Seago Lumber greatly enhances Cooper Marine & Timberlands’ ability to meet growing customer demand and provide the industry’s highest standard of lumber products and customer service.” Precision Terminal Logistics Acquires The Kearney Companies
KPWS will be rebranded as The Kearney Companies – Savannah. David Kearney will retain his position as president of both companies and will continue to be an equity owner. PTL President Ray Nixon said, “The acquisition expands two critical gateways at a crucial time when customer supply chains at ports are backlogged and need enhanced capacity.” Minister of Transportation to Attend Railroad Timber Terminal Opening at Hauerseter in Norway
Between 100,000 and 150,000 cubic meters of timber will be transported annually via the timber terminal, mainly spruce pulpwood to Norske Skog Saugbrugs in Halden. This amounts to somewhere between 2,500 and 3,750 timber truckloads a year. SSA Marine and The Northwest Seaport Alliance Welcome First Vessel Call to Modernized Terminal 5 in Seattle
Construction on the new facility launched in July 2019, fueled by the combined investment from the NWSA Managing Members and SSA Marine of approximately half a billion dollars. The strategic investment of modernizing Terminal 5 will increase cargo capacity and job opportunities in the Puget Sound region.
Norfolk Southern Rolls Out Pilot Incentive Program for Intermodal Shipping Partners
The Dual Mission Reward Program is being tested at Landers Intermodal Facility in Chicago, the company’s largest terminal handling international freight, and at the railroad’s Kansas City Intermodal Facility. Under the industry-first pilot, truck carriers and steamship lines can earn a $200 incentive every time a drayage driver brings in and departs with a shipping container, completing a “dual mission.” Metsä Board Sells Hangö Stevedoring in Finland to Euroports
The parties have mutually agreed that the transaction price will not be disclosed. Hangö Stevedoring has around 180 employees and its sales in 2020 were approximately EUR 20 million. The company is the largest provider of cargo handling services in Hanko and has a wide customer base, including Metsä Board. |
Feb. 2, 2023 - Metsä Board has concluded a logistics agreement with Kuljetusliike Kalevi Huhtala Oy for transport between the Kemi board mill and Ajos harbour, in Kemi. All exports from the Kemi board mill will be centralised in Ajos.
Jan. 25, 2023 - MSC Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC) and Maersk A/S, an entity under A.P. Moller - Maersk, have mutually agreed to terminate, effective in January 2025, the present 2M alliance.
Jan. 23, 2023 - The Georgia Ports Authority has named Flavio Batista as its new Vice President of Sales and Marketing.
Jan. 19, 2023 – Kruger Energy is proud to be one of the pioneers as its two 100% electric semi-trailer trucks have started to carry materials and Cashmere®, SpongeTowels® and Bonterra™ tissue products, between two Kruger Products facilities in Québec.
Jan. 18, 2023 - Many aspects of business changed when the global COVID-19 pandemic began almost three years ago — perhaps none more than supply chain and transportation logistics.
Jan. 12, 2023 - Following extensive analysis of its operating footprint and the long-term supply of economic residual fibre, Canfor Pulp Products is announcing the decision to permanently close the pulp line at its Prince George Pulp and Paper Mill located in British Columbia, Canada.
Jan. 6, 2023 - International Forest Products (IFP) today announced the promotion of Michael Collins to the position of Senior Vice President of IFP.
Jan. 3, 2023 - Both Metsä Group and VR are companies with major role in the society and they therefore play an important part in improving environmental performance and responsibility. The companies are intensifying their cooperation on sustainability in logistics and have agreed a new joint target to halve emissions from transport covered by their cooperation by 2030.
Jan. 2, 2023 - Wagenborg Shipping and Royal Niestern Sander Shipyard have come to an agreement to start the construction of another 14,000 dwt EasyMax vessel. This fourth vessel in the EasyMax series is expected to be delivered in autumn 2024.
Dec. 30, 2022 - Euroports Finland Oy and the owners of BB Logistics Oy have signed an agreement, according to which the owners of BB Logistics will sell a substantial part of the company to Euroports Finland. The agreement brings together two innovative companies that share a commitment to providing the highest quality maritime supply-chain solutions to customers across the globe.
Dec. 28, 2022 (Press Release) - The terminals on the Antwerp port platform are further preparing themselves to implement Certified Pick up, the container delivery process based on identity rather than PIN codes. In the context of a digitally secure port, the implementation of Certified Pick up is one of Port of Antwerp-Bruges' priorities. Over the past few months, a lot of optimisations have taken place, in order to tailor the process even better to users' needs.
Dec. 23, 2022 - UPM is finalizing the construction works of the greenfield eucalyptus pulp mill in Uruguay and enters the final phases of the project. The start-up of the 2.1 million tonne/year mill near Paso de los Toros is expected by the end of the first quarter of 2023.
Dec. 12, 2022 - The Georgia Ports Authority Board has approved a plan to renovate and realign the docks at the Port of Savannah’s Ocean Terminal to better accommodate its expanding container operation.
Nov. 25, 2022 - Södra is now launching a major initiative to electrify the operation’s transportation. A new project will study the future potential to operate electric-powered trucks, forklifts and loaders that can help further reduce the association’s fossil-fuel emissions.
Nov. 22, 2022 - Euroports is pleased to announce the inauguration of three new berths at its Gaolan Terminal in South China. Furthermore, the company expects another berth to be approved for international cargo by the end of 2022.
Nov. 22, 2022 - OneFortyOne’s Kaituna Sawmill and its partners celebrated its first export shipment of woodchip out of Port Marlborough (New Zealand), as part of a new export initiative with partner Marusumi Whangarei Co., Ltd.
Nov. 21, 2022 - Metsä Group announced that construction and installation work for its new Kemi bioproduct mill is progressing as planned and on schedule for completion by the end of the year.
Oct. 20, 2022 - Metsä Fibre on Sept. 30 started production at its new sawmill in Rauma, Finland. The new sawmill has an annual capacity of 750,000 cubic metres of pine sawn timber, and the annual use of pine logs sourced in Finland is around 1.5 million cubic metres. The sawn timber produced in Rauma is sold mainly to Europe and Asia.
Sept. 2022 - At the conclusion of Transport Symposium 24, outgoing IFPTA president Alan Bog (Euroports) and secretary/treasurer Tom Mutz (PENN Warehousing) gathered on the stage and introduced Bob Davidson (Eldorado Brasil) to the audience as IFPTA's new president.
Oct. 7, 2022 – SCA announced that land construction work is starting in the port of Tunadal, just outside of Sundsvall (Sweden). The work involves dredging in the port that will use the dredged material to create more land surface area that will support an expansion of cargo handling.
Oct. 5, 2022 - UPM inaugurates today its new pulp terminal in the port of Montevideo, Uruguay. This investment of approximately USD 280 million is a fundamental part of UPM’s USD 3.47 billion growth investment in Uruguay that includes a state-of-the-art pulp mill in Paso de los Toros, new eucalyptus tree nursery as well as local community investments in Paso de los Toros.
Sept. 30, 2022 - Metsä Fibre announced that its new state-of-the-art pine sawmill in Rauma, Finland, has moved from production test run to continuous sawn timber production. The sawmill is operating continuously in three shifts.
Sept. 9, 2022 - The Jacksonville Port Authority (JAXPORT) will serve as the host port for the 24th annual Pulp and Paper International (PPI) Transport Symposium. The event is the longest-running conference dedicated to the forest products supply chain and attracts global leaders from throughout the industry.
Aug. 31, 2022 - According to the Brazilian Tree Industry (Ibá), in the first half of 2022, pulp production grew 7.8% compared to the same period of the previous year, and paper production showed a 3.1% increase.
Aug. 17, 2022 - Ponsse and Epec are introducing the PONSSE EV1, an electric forest machine technology concept.
The following was recently published by the Forest Resources Association
July 6, 2022 - SCA, together with Scania, has developed the world's first electric timber truck with a capacity to carry 80 tonnes and the new truck has been delivered to SCA.
June 27, 2022 - The Jacksonville Port Authority (JAXPORT) announced today the completion of the final phase of $100 million in berth enhancements at the SSA Jacksonville Container Terminal (JCT) at Blount Island. The last stage of the project, the rehabilitation of 700 linear feet of deepwater berthing space, was completed at the end of June in coordination with the recently completed Jacksonville Harbor Deepening Project.
June 23, 2022 - Arauco has announced that on June 22 it signed a US$3 billion investment collaboration agreement with the government of Mato Grosso Do Sul in Brazil for the construction of a new pulp mill.
June 22, 2022 - The Port of Tarragona reported maritime traffic at the Port continues with the upward trend by + 7.1%, compared to May 2021, handling a total of 2.69 million tons in its facilities.
June 16, 2022 - Calendar year-to-date 2022 through May container volumes remained robust at the Port of Mobile posting 225,883 TEUs or an 11.6 percent gain over volumes handled during the same period last year. May 2022 container volumes at the Port of Mobile were down 6 percent handling 41,232 twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs) versus 43,865 TEUs handled in May 2021. May’s dip in container terminal volumes reflected the volatility of Trans-Pacific trade associated with prolonged COVID-19 lockdowns in China.
June 13, 2022 - In 2021, the world’s shipments of wood chips reached almost 35 million m3, close to the highest on record. Significant expansion of pulp capacity in China combined with a lack of domestic wood fiber has driven the global increase in traded wood chips over the past decade. About four-fifths of the trade was hardwood chips in 2021, predominantly destined for pulp mills in Asia, while the remaining volume was softwood chips.
May 13, 2022 - International Forest Products LLC (IFP) announces its participation in the creation of Global Forest Products AB (GFP), a new joint venture trading company in Gothenburg, Sweden. The venture is a collaboration between IFP, Fredrik Anderson, and Johan Rafstedt and will provide suppliers and customers a platform with sound financing, transparency, and cost efficiency.
May 9, 2022 - The pandemic accelerated the amount of online shopping by U.S. residents, and a large proportion of the U.S. population has grown accustomed to eschewing stores and having most goods delivered to their homes.
April 29, 2022 - The Port of Virginia is the only US East Coast stop for ocean carrier Hapag-Lloyd’s reworked Mediterranean Gulf Coast Express (MGX) that will move cargo overland by rail to California via Virginia.
April 25, 2022 - LD Celulose S.A, a joint venture between the Austrian company Lenzing and the Brazilian company Dexco, invested about USD 1.3 billion in a 500,000 tonne/year dissolving wood pulp mill in the Triângulo Mineiro region in Brazil. Valmet delivered the key process islands and integrated automation solutions for the mill. The equipment operations and the production ramp-up in the new mill have now successfully started.
April 25, 2022 - Stora Enso has entered into an agreement to divest its two sawmills in Russia. The company’s Nebolchi and Impilahti sawmills will be divested to local management.
April 19, 2022 - On Thursday, April 14, PhilaPort welcomed the maiden call of a new ocean liner service to The Port of Philadelphia’s Packer Avenue Marine Terminal. The container ship M/V Cornelia is part of the Mediterranean Shipping Company’s (MSC) brand new ScanBaltic service.
April 14, 2022 - Lumber trade flows changed almost instantly when Russia invaded Ukraine in late February. Trade sanctions and restrictions in financial transactions by Europe, North America, and major markets in Asia halted shipments from Russia and Belarus. In addition, exports from Ukraine were also disrupted. The total lumber exports from the three countries in the war zone were 34 million m3 in 2021. Over 25% of that volume was exported to countries with current sanctions against Russia and Belarus.
April 14, 2022 - Weyerhaeuser Company announced an agreement to purchase 80,800 acres of high-quality timberlands in North and South Carolina from a fund managed by Campbell Global for approximately $265 million. The acquisition is comprised of highly productive timberlands situated in strong coastal markets and strategically located to deliver immediate synergies with existing Weyerhaeuser timber and mill operations.
April 12, 2022 - According to preliminary data for 2021 published by the Natural Resources Institute Finland (Luke), the export value of forest industry products was a little more than EUR 13 billion. As a result of the global rising demand and prices for sawn goods, the export value of the wood-products industries accounted for as much as 29 per cent of forest industry exports. Imports of roundwood and wood residues into Finland totalled 13 million cubic metres, slightly more than half of which consisted of pulpwood.
March 30, 2022 - Canfor Corporation announced that it will implement reduced operating schedules at its Western Canadian sawmills (in British Columbia, Canada) effective April 4, 2022 due to the cumulative effects of the unprecedented global supply chain crisis that has been ongoing for several months.
March 29, 2022 - Stora Enso has initiated a sales process for a possible divestment of four paper production sites. In line with Stora Enso’s strategy, paper is not a strategic growth area for the Group. The divestment intent is aligned with the Group’s strategy to focus on long-term growth potential for its renewable products in packaging, building solutions and biomaterials innovations.
March 24, 2022 - The Vancouver Fraser Port Authority released 2021 year-end statistics for goods moving through the Port of Vancouver. Despite the ongoing pandemic and global supply chain challenges, as well as extreme weather events in B.C., 2021 cargo volumes through the Port of Vancouver increased by 1% from 145 to 146 million metric tonnes (MMT) over 2020.
March 22, 2022 - UPM today said that Conciliator Leo Suomaa has submitted a proposal for a settlement in the collective labour agreement negotiations between UPM Pulp and the Paperworkers' Union. The conciliator has asked the parties to state their position on the proposal by 14 April 2022 at 10:00 EET.
March 21, 2022 - Alexander Global Logistics (AGL) announced that it is in talks with AD Ports Group to form a collaboration for the purpose of developing a world-class hub in 
March 20, 2022 (Press Release) - Canadian Pacific Railway said that while the company was still engaged in ongoing negotiations facilitated by federal mediators, the Teamsters Canada Rail Conference (TCRC) withdrew its services and issued a news release misrepresenting the status of the talks.
March 10, 2022 - Proman and A.P. Moller -Maersk (Maersk) have entered into a new cooperation agreement to identify and develop green methanol supply solutions for Maersk's new methanol-fuelled container vessels.
March 7, 2022 (Press Release) - Meadow Lake Tribal Council (MLTC) joined Paper Excellence today in calling on CN to provide more rail cars for Meadow Lake Mechanical Pulp Inc.
Feb. 28, 2022 (Wood Resources International - Market Insights) - Russia's invasion of Ukraine is likely to impact global trade in the coming months. Increased sanctions against trading with Russia and difficulty with financial transactions will probably interrupt and re-direct shipments of forest products throughout the world. As a result, trade with Russia will likely decline, impacting long-established international trade flows of forest products.
Feb. 23, 2022 (Tissue Online) - Berth 99, newly built by Suzano at Porto do Itaqui, in São Luiz (MA), is undergoing commissioning tests, which include berthing verification, assisted operation and unberthing.
Feb. 21, 2022 (Press Release) - Associated British Ports (ABP) is delighted to support Seacon (SG) re-establish its northern base at the Port of Garston. Seacon (SG), a UK port-based terminal operator specialising in the handling of forest products, was originally founded in Garston in 1983 under the name Stanton Grove.
Feb. 18, 2022 - The Alabama Port Authority board of directors approved a $2.042 million purchase of 272 acres in Montgomery, Alabama, to construct an inland container intermodal transfer (ICTF) facility. The project will extend intermodal rail service from the Port Authority’s container intermodal terminal at the Port of Mobile in support of Alabama regional growth in manufacturing, retail, distribution, and agribusiness sectors.
Feb. 16, 2022 - Wood fiber costs for pulp manufacturers have gone up in practically all countries covered by Wood Resources Quarterly ("WRQ") over the past year. In the 3Q/21, the Softwood Fiber Price Index (SFPI) was at its highest level since 2014, 8.1% higher than the 3Q/20.
Feb. 11, 2022 - Paper Excellence today announced an indefinite production slowdown of its Meadow Lake, Saskatchewan, Canada, BCTMP (Bleached Chemi Thermal Mechanical Pulp) mill due to repeated lack of railway service.
Feb. 10, 2022 - Navis, a provider of operational technologies and services that helps streamline operations across the cargo supply chain, announced a new partnership agreement with Euroports consisting of a multi-terminal implementation of Master Terminal by Navis.
Feb. 7, 2022 - Pennsylvania Governor Tom Wolf on Feb. 4 announced a $246 million state investment into the Port of Philadelphia to continue modernization efforts and improve regional economic stability. This funding builds upon the Governor’s comprehensive $300 million Capital Investment Program at the Port of Philadelphia announced in 2016.
Feb. 3, 2022 (American Shipper) - The U.S. Senate introduced on Thursday its version of legislation aimed at promoting U.S. exports while curbing carriers’ power over both container service and equipment fees charged to shippers.
Feb. 2, 2022 - Canada’s forest industry provides more than 225,000 direct jobs across over 600 communities – many of which are hundreds of kilometres from larger cities and key customer markets.
Feb. 1, 2022 - With a eucalyptus pulp boost from the Paso de los Toros mill in Uruguay, scheduled to start-up in the first quarter of 2023, UPM Pulp is ready to take on a completely new market in North America. Lajos Forster, Sales Director, New Markets, comments that the company started its market entry already in 2021.
Feb. 1, 2022 - The Port of Dundee welcomed the arrival of the 177-metre long deep sea vessel the Ha Long Bay with her cargo of 12,000 packs of plywood on board.
Jan. 31, 2022 - SCA Logistics announced that on January 22 it opened a new port terminal in the Port of Tilbury in Essex, UK. This coincides with the closure of SCA’s terminal in the Port of Sheerness (UK).
Jan. 2022 - The European freight rail industry has seen a steady decline over the past 70 years. Freight rail’s modal share has decreased from around 60 percent in the 1950s, and 30 percent in the 1980s, to roughly 15 percent today, driven mainly by large industry shifts. This prompted a vicious circle of increasing fixed costs, leading to loss of competitiveness and loss of volume, and consequently increasing fixed costs again — with little hope for a thriving future. The rise of new small and agile entrants worsened the situation for freight rail incumbents that were left with unhealthy structures and often faced political pressure to maintain unprofitable businesses.
Jan. 24, 2022 - The Transport Workers’ Union AKT on Jan. 22 announced a blockade against UPM in Finland to support the strikes of the Paperworkers’ Union and the Finnish Electrical Workers´ Union.
MCCOMB, MISSISSIPPI, Jan 19, 2022 (Press Release) - Cooper Marine & Timberlands (CMT) is excited to announce the acquisition of Seago Lumber Company. Seago Lumber Company, owned and operated by the Seago family since 1948, produces 1-inch dressed boards for sale in both domestic and export markets, and is known in the industry for its superior lumber quality and customer satisfaction.
Jan. 17, 2022 - Precision Terminal Logistics (PTL), effective December 31, 2021, acquired The Kearney Companies, Inc. (KCO) of New Orleans, LA. and Kearney Page Warehouse Services (KPWS) operating in Savannah, GA.
Jan. 12, 2022 - Norske Skog at Saugbrugs, in collaboration with Nortømmer and Viken Skog have established the company Tømmerterminal Hauerseter AS, a privately owned railroad terminal for loading timber by rail. On Wednesday 19 January, the official opening will be attended by Norwegian Minister of Transport Jon-Ivar Nygård.
Jan. 10, 2022 - Phase one of Terminal 5 is open for cargo ships to call the NWSA gateway. The MSC Monterey is the first vessel to call the newly modernized terminal with four new Super-post Panamax cranes ready to work the ship. The Terminal 5 Modernization Program launched in 2016 to expand gateway cargo capacity and enable The Northwest Seaport Alliance to service the largest vessels in the Transpacific trade.
Dec. 23, 2021 - Norfolk Southern has rolled out a pilot incentive program for intermodal shipping partners that aims to drive market efficiencies, grow capacity at its international intermodal terminals, and advance key sustainability goals.
Dec. 21, 2021 - Metsä Board and Euroports have signed an agreement on 16 December 2021, according to which Metsä Board will sell the entire share capital of its fully owned subsidiary Oy Hangö Stevedoring Ab to Euroports Finland Oy.