Logistics in Wallonia - Event

Economic importance of the Belgian ports: Flemish maritime ports, Li�ge port complex and the port of Brussels � Report 2008

2010-07-22 14:10:34

The National Bank of Belgium publishes an annual update of the study on the economic importance of the Flemish maritime ports - Antwerp, Ghent, Ostend and Zeebrugge -, the Li�ge port complex and the port of Brussels.

Each port's contribution to the national economy is estimated on the basis of an analysis of its economic, social and financial situation, over the period from 2003 to 2008. The three variables involved in the main developments are valued added, employment and investment. This study also highlights indirect impact interms of valued added and employment. It features a summary of the social balance sheet for all the ports covered in this publication. The analysis of the financial results draws on a survey of the return on equityratio, liquidity and solvency ratios.

After the excellent results seen in the year 2007, total maritime traffic using the Flemish ports continued to expand 2008 to reach 267 million tonnes transhipped, a new record. Container transport grew by 6.7 p.c. in the space of a year, while solid bulk transport was up by 8.8 p.c. On the other hand, conventional general cargo shipping declined by 11.2 p.c. and ro-ro traffic shrank by 4.4 p.c. Liquid bulk transport increased by 2p.c. An expansion of bulk transport can be observed in all the Flemish ports. The same goes for container transport, except in Ostend, where this type of transport, already reduced to a minimum, has stopped altogether. The port of Antwerp's relative share in the Hamburg-Le Havre range saw no change from 2007. Traffic using the ports of Brussels and Li�ge was also on an upward trend in 2008. For the first time ever, the public port in Li�ge exceeded the figure of 16 million tonnes transhipped by water. Traffic in and out of the port of Brussels posted an increase of 13.2 p.c. to just less than 4.9 million tonnes of goods transhipped.

Direct value added in the Belgian ports fell by 0.7 p.c. in 2008. At opposite ends of the growth scale are the port of Ostend whose value added increased by more than 10 p.c. and the port of Ghent where value added dropped by 12.6 p.c. under the influence of falling profits in the motor and metalworking industries. In the port of Zeebrugge, almost all sectors of activity are expanding, with the exception of inland transport, generating a 5.1 p.c. rise in value added. The figure for the port of Antwerp's value added was up by 1.6 p.c. Shipowners accounted for the most growth, in both value and percentage terms, while a fall in value added could be observed in industrial and commercial activities. A decline in the same sectors was recorded in the port of Ghent, too. On the back of good results posted by a few of the firms operating there, the port of Ostend registered strong growth in value added (+10.3 p.c.). The Li�ge port complex enjoyed buoyant growth in the chemicals end energy industries, with its value added rising by 5.1 p.c. In the port of Brussels, the decline in industry was offset by an increase in the other service sectors, so that the total direct value added for the port actually rose by 1.1 p.c.

Although not rising as quickly as in 2007, indirect value added was up by 3.4 p.c. Total value added increased by 1.1 p.c. but its share in Belgium's GDP went down slightly by 0.1 p.c. to 9 p.c.

Direct employment in the Belgian ports increased by 0.4 p.c in 2008. Growth was once again particularly strong in Ostend (+3.9 p.c.) and it were the same sectors of activity as the previous year that were behind this forte progression: the metalworking industry and road transport. Employment in the port of Antwerp fellslightly (-0.6 p.c.), hit mainly by the large decline in the motor industry, while the maritime cluster registered amarked rise in employment, notably among cargo handlers and in shipbuilding and repair. The port of Ghent was not hit too badly by falling employment in the metalworking industry and registered an increase of 0.5p.c. Employment in the port of Zeebrugge is on the rise, thanks mainly to the maritime cluster and more specifically to handling, the public sector, shipping agents and freight forwarders, as well as shipowners. In the Li�ge port complex, the energy and metalworking industry buoyed up employment. Direct employment in the port of Brussels remained stable, the downturn in industry and inland transport being offset by an improvement in the other sectors.

The share of direct port employment in Belgium's total domestic employment was 3.1 p.c. Combined with indirect effects, total employment in the ports is up by 2 p.c. In 2008, it accounted for 7 p.c. of domestic employment in Belgium.

Investment in Belgian ports rose by 3.2 p.c. to reach 4,931 million euro, setting a new record. Investment in the port of Antwerp increased by 3.7 p.c., the strong growth in value terms in this port being concentrated incargo handling. Still posting an investment volume above the one billion euro mark, shipowners are still the largest investors. Driven by the strong growth in the energy sector, investment in the port of Ghent expanded by 2.4 p.c. In the port of Ostend, the energy industry, as well as port facilities and dredging, shored upinvestment, which posted a 16.3 p.c. rise for the year 2008 as a whole. On the other hand, investment in the port of Zeebrugge fell back by 19.3 p.c., as a few major projects were completed. The Li�ge port complex once again enjoyed an exceptionally good year. Production of motor fuels and the other services generated sizeable investment volumes, enabling the latter category to post a growth rate of 27.7 p.c. Finally, investment in the port of Brussels expanded healthily, mainly as a result of the infrastructure renovation work undertaken by the port authority (to clean up the Carcoke site).

Source : Press release�NBB - 15 july 2010

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Liege Airport is investing heavily to save energy

2010-06-22 18:46:34

As part of our commitment to sustainable development, here at Liege Airport we are regularly improving ourenvironmental policy and have just decided to purchase more than 900 LED lights to replace the existing halogen lighting. This is a considerable investment as it amounts to 422,750 Euros.

The �runway� infrastructure lighting represents around 3,400 lights in various areas: runway centreline, taxiways, runway threshold� This lighting helps increase traffic safety by guiding the planes from the ground both during landing and during their various manoeuvres on the runways.

The 900 LED lights have been ordered from the company ADB; a world leader in airport lighting. This investment can be justified as it will save energy, reduce the cost of lighting maintenance and maintain high-level technology in view of thecompetition.

LED lights use less electricity (reduction of 60% in comparison to halogen lighting) and have a considerably longer lifespan than halogen lighting. The return on this investment will be seen in little over 4 years !

For Luc Partoune, Managing Director of Liege Airport, replacing the halogen lighting is a long term investment: �We have already installed LED lighting in one part of the north zone of the airport. This new investment is considerable and will be staggered over the course of several months starting in the autumn with the supply and replacement of hundreds of lights. Liege Airport is already ISO 14001 certified (environmental management) and is developing an ambitious environmental policy. Energy saving is good for the environment and profitable for the company. What more could you ask for !�

Source : Press release Liege Airport - 22 june 2010

Investors appreciate Wallonia

2010-06-01 11:48:28

In the race for foreign investments, Wallonia attracted 67 new projects in 2009, creating 2,038 new jobs compared to the 78 projects in Flanders. These are the findings published by the annual PLI (Plant Location International) study, an IBM division specialised in investment consultancy on a global scale.

It should be noted that this study only lists the investment projects creating new jobs. Consequently, it does not take into account the purely financial investments such as fusions and acquisitions for example, which represent a field of activity in which Belgium has a history of being highly involved.

If Wallonia is able to better emerge from this competition than Flanders, it is thanks to its two main assets. Firstly: the south of the country is home to a large amount of affordable land. Secondly: investment subsidies are much more significant in Wallonia. Is this a consequence of the Marshall Plan? �Not directly� was the response given by Roel Spee, who spoke above all of its European surroundings that enable Wallonia to be more generous than Flanders with regard to candidate investors.

The result : sensational investments were made recently. Among these investments were Hennes & Mauritz in Ghlin (450 jobs), Dow Corning in Feluy (134 jobs) and Baxter in Lessines (120 jobs). On a provincial level, the PLI-IBM study showed a significant level of progression of the number of new projects in the Hainaut region, the Liege province and in the Walloon Brabant province. Anvers and the Flemish Brabant province on the other hand recorded a severe recession.

Link to the study : http://www.ibm.com/gbs/pli

Source : L'Echo � Paul Bombaerts �� 27/05/2010

�172 million in funding available for Trans-European Transport Network infrastructure projects

2010-05-20 16:54:44

The European Commission launched today three new calls for proposals, making an additional �172 million of the Trans-European Transport Network (TEN-T) budget available to finance European transport infrastructure projects. Funding opportunities are to be found under the TEN-T annual programme and multi-annual programme. The Trans-European Transport Network Executive Agency (TEN-T EA), which manages the technical and financial implementation of the TEN-T programme, is responsible, on behalf of the Directorate-General for Mobility and Transport, for the management of the calls for proposals and for the external evaluation of project proposals submitted.

Commission Vice-President Siim Kallas, responsible for transport, said : "The TEN-T programme is today launching calls for proposals making available an additional �172 million of the TEN-T budget to fund key projects of European added value. These include projects in the fields of motorways of the sea and river information services, under the multi-annual programme. In addition, the annual programme has been fine-tuned in 2010 to allow us to prepare for future transport priorities, notably making transport greener, and to increase the participation of private partners in infrastructure projects. This funding complements the �7.16 billion which has already been allocated under the 2007�13 TEN-T programme to around 300 projects covering all transport modes � air, rail, road and maritime/sea, plus logistics and intelligent transport systems � involving all EU Member States."

These calls for proposals have been established under two separate work programmes:

1. The 2010 multi-annual work programme aims to finance the highest priorities of the TEN-T network. This year's multi-annual call focuses on two fields:

Motorways of the sea (TEN-T Priority Project 21), providing viable alternatives for congested roads by shifting freight to sea routes: maximum budget �85 million;

River information services (RIS), involving traffic management infrastructure on the inland waterway network : maximum budget �10 million.

This funding is in addition to the call for proposals in the field of air traffic management systems and functional airspace blocks (ATM/FABs) which closed on 30 April 2010, with a maximum budget of �20 million.

2. The 2010 annual work programme complements the efforts developed under the multi-annual work programme. Unlike in previous years, it is focused on three priorities:

Priority 1 : Promoting the development of an integrated and environmentally friendly transport system (up to �30 million);
Priority 2 : Accelerating/facilitating the implementation of TEN-T projects (studies for all modes, works for mature projects, notably in the rail and inland waterways sectors), as well as projects supporting the Single European Sky policy (up to �40 million);
Priority 3 : Studies to support public�private partnerships (PPPs) (up to �7 million).

The TEN-T Executive Agency will host a TEN-T information day on 31 May and 1 June 2010 in Brussels, to help potential applicants prepare their proposals. On the first day of this event, information will be provided about the calls and the evaluation process. The second day focuses on project finance in general and PPPs in particular, with a view to encouraging potential applicants to consider assessing their projects for PPP feasibility.

The deadline for the submission of proposals is 31 August 2010. Proposals will be evaluated on the basis of their relevance to TEN-T priorities and policy objectives, their maturity, their impact � particularly socio-economic and environmental � and their quality in terms of completeness, clarity, soundness and coherence.

For more information : http://ec.europa.eu/tentea or e-mail: TENT-AGENCY@ec.europa.eu

Transport Pierret at the belgian economic mission to India

2010-03-29 14:23:01

During the Belgian economic mission to India from 20 to 27 March, the company Transport Pierret, a logistics operator in Neufch�teau (Belgium), has signed a collaboration agreement with Vangard Logistics Private Ltd, based in Chennai. The collaboration agreement was signed in the presence of His Majesty Prince Philippe of Belgium on 25 March in Mumbai.

Vangard Logistics Private Ltd is based in Chennai and provides a complete range of logistics services to more than 550 clients in India and throughout the world. In addition, with its offices in Tirrupur, Bangalore, Mumbai and New Delhi, Vangard Logistics has developed a global network of agents.�

Transport Pierret SA is based in Neufch�teau, Southern Belgium, at the heart of Europe. For more than 30 years, Transport Pierret has been developing logistics services for clients active around the world: transport, storage, customs clearance, order preparation, packaging, labelling, distribution,��

Vangard Logistics and Transport Pierret are particularly well positioned in the markets of their respective regions. Together, they will offer their clients complete, reliable and efficient services at all stages of the logistics chain. This agreement will permit them to conquer new markets, as they complement each other so well. The association of these two companies is a guarantee of complete control of all the parameters involved in the logistics chain between India and Europe.

In real terms, the signature of this collaboration agreement will enable the two companies to develop and to manage significant goods flows between India and Europe on behalf of major multinational groups.

Source : Press release -� Transport Pierret - 29th March

Liege Airport : best cargo airport in Belgium

2010-01-22 18:26:33

During 2009, 482,121 tonnes of cargo passed through LIEGE AIRPORT (a decrease of 7% compared to 2008, a record year with 518,650 tons shipped). In these difficult economical times (the airfreight-industry is facing), this resilience is largely due to the recovery recorded by TNT during the fourth quarter, but also the good performances from El Al Cargo,� Ethiopian Airlines and Southern Air, Icelandair, and the arrival of ABX Air and Avient (who based their European hub in Liege). In a market undergoing restructuring and very competitive circumstances, LIEGE AIRPORT can be satisfied with this result. Especially since the first half of 2009 showed losses between 25 and 30%!�

With 482,121 tonnes shipped in 2009, LIEGE AIRPORT is, 20 years after its establishment, the number 1 cargo airport in Belgium, and is ranked 8th in Europe for cargo.

More and more animals and fresh produce

Among the characteristics of LIEGE AIRPORT, we emphasize on developing the transport and appropriate handling/distribution of flowers, Live animals and fresh produce. Therefore, in 2009 LIEGE AIRPORT has hosted 879 horses, transited 1779 tonnes of fish, 637 tonnes of live lobster, and many more perishable goods ... Veterinarians & Phyto-sanitary services provide supervision 24/7 at location and with infrastructure & equipment of the highest quality, which allows customers to achieve efficiency, speed and flexibility.

Passengers

For its part, passenger traffic has experienced a slowdown with 356,782 passengers carried in 2009 (to 400,281 in 2008). For summer 2010, a new destination - Dalaman (Turkey) - just expanded the program for passengers.

Outlook

Prospects for 2010 are encouraging, including, in June, the end of lengthening the main runway (which will reach up to 3,700 meters), the construction of new warehouses of 25,000 sqm and new office buildings. An amount exceeding 30 million euros will be invested, which confirms LIEGE AIRPORT's corporate mission of Regional Development (in 2009, at the� airport's centre for economic development, employment was 2,800 direct jobs and 6,700 indirect jobs).

Source : Press release Li�ge Airport�- 22 january 2010�

Belgium ranks 9 at the World Bank\'s \"Logistics Performance Index\"

2010-01-21 09:22:02

Global Trade Logistics Improving, but more needed to boost recovery

The capacity of countries to efficiently move goods and connect manufacturers and consumers with international markets is improving around the world, but much more progress is needed to spur faster economic growth and help firms benefit from trade recovery, according to a new World Bank Group survey on trade logistics.

Germany is the top performer among the 155 economies ranked in the Logistics Performance Indicators (LPI), which are included in the report Connecting to Compete 2010: Trade Logistics in the Global Economy. The study is based on the most comprehensive world survey of international freight forwarders and express carriers.

�Economic competitiveness is relentlessly driving countries to strengthen performance, and improving trade logistics is a smart way to deliver more efficiencies, lower costs and added economic growth,� said World Bank Group President Robert B. Zoellick, who is visiting Berlin January 13 -15 to discuss global development and economic issues. �Streamlining the connections among markets, manufacturers, farmers and consumers offers tremendous growth and investment opportunities and should be a top focus for developing country growth strategies. As we issue this global report, I'm pleased to be in Germany, the top performer on efficient logistics.�

According to the LPI, high income economies dominate the top logistics rankings, with most of them occupying important places in global and regional supply chains. By contrast, the ten lowest performing countries are almost all from the low and lower income groups.

Although the study shows a substantial �logistics gap� between rich countries and most developing countries, it finds positive trends in some areas essential to logistics performance and trade. Some of them include the modernization of customs, use of information technology, and development of private logistics services.

�Following our first survey in 2007, many developing countries have improved their capacity to connect to international markets, which is a key ingredient for competitiveness and economic growth,� said Otaviano Canuto, World Bank Vice President for Poverty Reduction and Economic Management. �But if developing countries want to come out of the crisis in a stronger and more competitive position, they need to invest in better trade logistics.�

�Countries with better logistics performance can grow faster, become more competitive and increase their level of investment,� said Bernard Hoekman, World Bank Trade Department Director. �Our research shows that increasing logistics performance in low income countries to the middle-income average could boost trade by around 15 per cent and benefit all firms and consumers through lower prices and better quality services.�

The report, headed by World Bank Group economists Jean Francois Arvis and Monica Alina Mustra, notes that among developing economies logistics performance transcends the level of per capita income: Many countries perform better than what their income level would suggest. The ten most significant over-performers include China (27), India (47), Uganda (66), Vietnam (53), Thailand (35), the Philippines (44), and South Africa (28).

Likewise, the countries with significant improvement in performance between the two surveys (the 2007 and 2010 LPI) are often those which implemented comprehensive logistics and trade facilitation reforms earlier, such as Colombia, Brazil, and Tunisia.

In terms of how developing countries are doing per region, South Africa (28) is the top performer from Africa; China (27) from East Asia; Poland (30) from Central and Eastern Europe; Brazil (41) from Latin America; Lebanon (33) from the Middle East; and India (47) from South Asia.

According to the study, logistics performance is heavily influenced by the quality of public sector institutions and the effective coordination of border clearance processes among all border management agencies. In this area, customs performs better than many other agencies, pointing to the need for border management reforms. In low performing countries, on average, half of the containers are physically inspected and one container out of seven at least twice.

Other areas for improvement include better transport policies, increasing competition in trade-related services such as trucking, freight forwarding and railways; and better trade-related infrastructure. For many low-income countries the most binding constraints are often in logistics services and international transit systems. Given they perform better on many other indicators, improving trade infrastructure is often reported to be a priority for middle-income countries.

The World Bank Group has a number of projects designed to improve trade logistics in developing countries. The US$250 million East Africa Trade and Transport Facilitation Project improved the corridor infrastructure and upgraded the main border crossing between Uganda and Kenya at Malaba, reducing border crossing times from three days to three hours. In Tunisia, a US$250 million operation is improving competitiveness by reducing trade costs and streamlining border clearance procedures. And in Afghanistan, the Bank is providing funding for a US$31.2 million project to modernize and computerize four major border crossings, increasing customs revenues from US$50 million when the project started in 2004 to over US$399 million in 2008.

In addition, the Bank is working with IBM, Microsoft and the Global Express Association as part of a public-private partnership on �Aid for Trade Facilitation.� The objective is to develop pilot projects in developing countries that apply innovative IT solutions to streamline border procedures.

Source : World Bank - 15 January 2010

To download the full report, CLICK HERE

Wallonia is the first logistic region in Europe !

2009-12-09 12:51:33

Wallonia is the first logistic region in Europe. This is the conclusion of�a survey lead by Cushman & Wakefield and published today by�Logistics in Wallonia en�AWEX. This survey has been presented on the 10th of december during a press conference by Jean-Claude Marcourt, Vice-Pr�sident of the Walloon Region en�Minister of Economy, SMEs, Foreign Trade and New Technologies.��

The report makes a ranking of top locations for distribution and logistics in Europe, based upon macro-economic parameters. This is done by using a ranked-matrix method for 61 European regions and for the optimal location of a European Distribution Centre (EDC, not a regional logistics centre).

As in previous reports, published in 2004 and 2006 by the Flanders Institute for Logistics (VIL), several Belgian provinces come in the top of this ranking. Li�ge comes out as the number 1 location, closely followed by Limburg (B), Hainaut, and Nord-Pas-de-Calais. The main reasons for this top-ranking are :

excellent access to the main European markets ( the core West-German markets like the Ruhrgebiet,� the core Benelux markets like Randstad and the Antwerp/Brussels area , Paris/Ile-de-France and the greater London area)
a central geographic location that is optimal to cover a wide range of European markets
top transport infrastructure and volume, close to main ports or with good multimodal links to these ports
low costs for land, warehouses and labour
labour force that is available, highly productive, skilled for supply chain jobs and with a good language knowledge

The top-15 consists of regions from Belgium, Northern France (Nord-Pas-de-Calais and Alsace) and Western Germany (D�sseldorf, Koblenz, K�ln and Arnsberg).

Regions from the Netherlands are, given their history as important logistics locations,�often perceived as top regions for distribution; in this macro-economic ranking they score relatively average (Limburg (NL)/ Venlo comes on 23rd place, Noord-Brabant/Eindhoven 31st place, Zuid-Holland/ Rotterdam 37th place). The main reasons for this relatively low score of the Dutch regions are :

relatively high costs for land and warehouses, combined with a severe urban planning system that makes it difficult to guarantee the required space for future logistics property development
road congestion problems, especially in the Randstad areas
labourforce availability has proven to be relatively limited in periods of strong economic activity

The matrix used in this study is based upon the quantifiable variables that play a role in the decision to locate an EDC; the relative weight of the variables in the matrix is based upon surveys amongst decision makers, like the European Cities Monitor survey that Cushman & Wakefield publishes on a yearly basis.

Over the years these weights have shifted a little: the relative importance of Labour (Available Labourforce / Labour productivity) was given more weight (9%) than in the 2004 and 2006 studies, especially because available labourforce was a growing problem over 2007 and 2008 :

Ranking Nuts - 2 regions 2009	Costs	Transport System	Accessibility	Supply	Labour	Know-How	SCORE	Ranking 2009
Weight %	21%	29%	29%	9%	9%	3%	Total
*LIEGE*	*4,1*	*1,5*	*1,0*	*2,4*	*2,6*	*2,5*	*2,1*	1
LIMBURG-B (Genk-Hasselt)	3,6	2,0	1,2	1,2	2,9	1,7	2,1	2
*HAINAUT (Charleroi)*	*3,2*	*2,2*	*1,7*	*1,0*	*2,1*	*3,3*	*2,2*	3
NORD-PAS-DE-CALAIS (Lille)	2,8	2,5	3,0	2,1	2,5	3,8	2,7	4
*NAMUR*	*3,7*	*2,4*	*2,0*	*4,3*	*2,1*	*3,5*	*2,7*	5
*LUXEMBOURG - B (Arlon)*	*3,3*	*3,4*	*1,5*	*2,3*	*3,6*	*4,0*	*2,7*	6
ALSACE (Strasbourg)	3,7	2,8	2,1	2,8	3,8	3,8	2,9	7
OOST-VLAANDEREN (Gent)	5,8	2,0	2,0	2,5	3,2	2,0	2,9	8
ANTWERPEN	7,4	1,5	2,0	2,4	2,0	1,0	3,0	9
ARNSBERG	4,7	3,6	1,5	2,0	4,0	3,3	3,1	10
K�LN	8,6	1,8	0,7	3,0	3,4	2,5	3,1	11
KOBLENZ	6,0	3,1	1,0	2,8	4,5	3,0	3,2	12
�
MAZOWIECKIE (Warszawa)	4,7	5,2	8,2	1,8	4,5	6,0	5,6	53
TIROL (Innsbruck)	9,0	4,6	5,1	5,0	4,4	4,3	5,7	54
GREATER LONDON	12,1	2,6	3,9	6,0	7,6	2,0	5,7	55
SW SCOTLAND (Glasgow)	8,8	4,1	7,1	3,5	4,5	3,0	5,9	56
SYDSVERIGE (Malm�/�resund)	9,0	4,8	6,8	4,0	4,3	3,0	6,1	57
VASTSVERIGE (G�teborg)	8,4	5,5	7,3	4,3	4,1	3,0	6,3	58
CATALUNA (Barcelona)	10,4	3,9	7,8	4,6	3,2	4,0	6,4	59
COM. DE MADRID	10,7	4,8	10,0	3,8	2,6	5,0	7,3	60
LISBOA VALE DO TEJO	6,8	4,9	12,0	3,5	5,0	5,5	7,3	61
median score	6,7	3,3	3,0	2,8	3,9	3,0	4,1

For a location decision, the actual situation is important, but it is even more important to know what the future will bring in terms of infrastructure development, land supply, expected warehouse rent evolution etc.� That is why a forecast of the matrix data was developed for the time horizon of 2020. According to this forecast Li�ge will not be able to hold its nr 1 position : it is extremely well located, but the limited availability of land give this region a slight disadvantage versus Hainaut who will be nr1 in our view.

This reflects the growing importance of good transport infrastructure towards markets south of the actual core European logistics regions; the Seine-Nord Europe canal junction that will upgrade the inland waterway between the Paris region and the North of France and Belgium also increases the score of Nord-Pas-de-Calais and Hainaut.The gradual shift of the centre of gravity of the European markets towards central Europe will result in a rise of German regions like K�ln and D�sseldorf; the good geographical position towards main German and central-European markets will keep Limburg (B) and Li�ge in a strong 2 and 3 position.

Forecast 2020 NUTS - 2 regions	Costs	Transport system	Accessibility	Supply	Labour	Know-How	SCORE	Forecasted Ranking 2020
Weight %	19%	27%	27%	8%	15%	3%	Total
*HAINAUT (Charleroi)*	*5,9*	*2,4*	*1,8*	*1,0*	*2,3*	*3,0*	*2,8*	1
LIMBURG - B (Genk-Hasselt)	5,9	2,2	1,7	1,3	3,3	1,7	2,9	2
*LIEGE*	*6,7*	*1,9*	*1,2*	*2,3*	*3,3*	*2,5*	*2,9*	3
NORD-PAS-DE-CALAIS	6,6	2,3	2,5	1,3	2,2	3,5	3,1	4
D�SSELDORF	9,3	1,8	0,9	3,3	2,3	2,5	3,2	5
K�LN	10,3	1,7	0,8	3,3	2,3	2,5	3,3	6
ALSACE (Strasbourg)	6,1	2,8	2,1	2,0	4,3	3,5	3,4	7
ARNSBERG	7,3	3,5	1,4	2,0	3,0	3,3	3,5	8
VLAAMS BRABANT (Vilvoorde)	10,1	2,1	1,5	2,8	1,7	1,8	3,5	9
SAARLAND	6,7	3,6	2,1	1,7	2,8	3,3	3,5	10

To obtain this survey : DOWNLOAD

Marco Polo: Fresh air for European freight transport

2009-10-15 11:33:48

The European Commission has adopted new rules to broaden the scope of its successful Marco Polo programme, which has been supporting sustainable transport projects since 2003. The programme gives financial support to the transport industry in order to reduce road freight on our congested roads or to shift it to other more sustainable transport modes, like shipping, rail or inland waterways. The conditions for participation have been improved to further increase its appeal to the industry, will apply to the next call for proposals due for the beginning of next year.

Vice-President Antonio Tajani, responsible for transport, commented: "The Marco Polo programme plays a vital role in getting Europe moving. We want to build on that success by making it easier for companies to participate in this process. The rules adopted today can help them change towards sustainable transport services. "

The amendments include a general reduction of the minimum thresholds for eligible projects, with a special reduced threshold for projects aiming to shift road freight to inland waterways. These changes will facilitate access to projects presented by smaller companies in general and inland waterways operators in particular. In addition it will be easier for these companies to apply for funding since the existence of a consortium for the application is no longer required.

The period going from the day of application to the signature of the grant agreements has also been shortened, giving beneficiaries quicker feedback from the Commission.

Finally, apart from other simplification measures, flexibility is added to the deadlines for completion of projects objectives and modal shift is extended to empty containers and transport vehicles if effectively taken out of the roads.

The projects supported by the first Marco Polo programme from 2003 until 2006 have already resulted in taking 31 billion tonne-kilometres from our roads, the equivalent of nearly 1.5 million trucks travelling from Paris to Berlin. Although this was already a substantial help to reduce congestion on the European roads, the second Marco Polo programme has seen its budget increase fourfold to �450 million for the period 2007/2013. With this budget the current objective of the programme is to shift or avoid a substantial part of the forecasted increase in international road transport, estimated in 20 billion tonne-kilometres per year.

Source : Press Release Europa - 9 octobre 2009

Commission clears the way for a single European Road Toll Service

2009-10-09 12:19:16

The European Commission today adopted a decision setting out the essential technical specifications and requirements needed to launch a European Electronic Toll Service (EETS) which will enable road users to easily pay tolls throughout the whole European Union (EU) thanks to one subscription contract with one service provider and one single on-board unit. EETS will be available on all infrastructures in the entire Community such as motorways, tunnels and bridges where toll can be paid using on-board equipment. EETS will eventually limit cash transactions at toll stations, thereby improving traffic flow and reducing congestion.

European Commission Vice-President Antonio Tajani, in charge of Transport, considers this decision to be the most important improvement for drivers since the abolition of border controls, stating that "the European Electronic Toll Service will enable road users to easily pay tolls throughout the whole European Union thanks to one subscription contract with one service provider and one single on-board unit".

Electronic toll systems were introduced in several European countries in the early 1990s. Most systems operate with an on-board unit communicating the vehicle's characteristics to the road operators in view to determining the toll, for instance based on the vehicle's weight and size.

However, the various national and local electronic road toll systems are generally incompatible and can only communicate with their respective on-board units. These non-interoperable road toll systems especially hinder international road transport. For example, to travel from Portugal to Denmark five or more on-board units might be needed on the vehicle's dashboard, each unit being covered by a particular contract for a particular road operator. For the transporter this entails time-consuming paperwork and costly administrative burden in reconciling travel data, received invoices, contracts clauses and payment orders.

The Commission Decision adopted today also lays down the rights and obligations of toll chargers, service providers, and users. Users will be able to subscribe to the service provider of their choice. Toll chargers will communicate the tolls due to the service providers, who will eventually invoice the users. Tolls paid via EETS may not exceed the corresponding national or local tolls.

EETS will be available within three years for all road vehicles above 3.5 tonnes or allowed to carry more than nine passengers, including the driver. It will be available for all other vehicles within five years.

Source : Presse Release Europa - 6th October 2009

Avient chooses Liege as its European hub

2009-09-10 14:09:22

Avient has decided to move its European hub from Vatry (France) to Liege Airport. Avient is an English airline that is active mainly in Africa but also in the Middle-East and in Asia. It carried 44,000 tonnes of freight in 2008, mainly perishable goods (flowers, food, fish, etc.).

"This relocation presents us with numerous opportunities for Avient's future development, adding considerable advantages to our operational service capacities", explains Andrew Smith, Avient's Managing Director. "Liege Airport already accommodates a number of freight operators and makes an attractive platform with infrastructure designed to encourage the development of air companies", adds Mr. Andrew Smith.

The transfer of Avient's operations from Vatry to Liege went very smoothly thanks to Liege Aiport's operational flexibility and that of AviaPartner Cargofor the handling. The company will operate two full warehouses totalling 12,500 m� and the best equipment possible for handling perishable products. In addition to using Aviapartner Cargo Liege's expertise, Avient will have its own offices and its freight team.

For Jos� Happart, President of Liege Airport, Avient's choice confirms the airport's strategy: "It's obviously excellent news for our airport platform.Avient will keep 3 planes and bring a hundred direct jobs to the site. Th equality of the services offered by Liege Airport (handling, maintenance,customs, transport, etc.) is being increasingly recognized."

The first Avient plane will land on Liege Airport's runway this Thursday, the 10th September at 09.45. 6 weekly flights are scheduled and charter flights will be arranged according to the demand. Three DC10-30Fs will be used for the daily rotation.

For Liege Airport, these operations represent a growth in traffic of about 50,000 tonnes per year and confirm Liege Airport's specialization in the perishable goods sector. This sector represents approximately 25 % of the cargo traffic that passes through Liege Airport.

Contact Press: Val�rie Hauglustaine, Press Attach� : +32 4 234 85 76 � vha@liegeairport.com

Source : Press Release - Liege airpor -�09 September 2009

Opening DGM office in Liege

2009-08-03 15:59:11

The transport of dangerous goods requires a very high safety factor along with the observation of constantly changing regulations. Dangerous Goods Management (DGM Belux S.A.) is your specialist in the field of carriage of dangerous goods by road/railway, by sea or by air.

Our specially trained staff is very well acquainted with the constantly changing regulations along with the required standards regarding the carriage of dangerous goods.�

DGM is represented in more than 20 countries by more than 30 offices. Consignors, airlines and carriers make use of our services in the form of new packaging, issue of transport documents and provision of a safety adviser.�

From now on you can also find DGM in Liege !

To download the file containing more information about�their services and the right address, e-mail and phone number to reach DGM please click here.

Dutch Air Cargo and MiniLiner starting in-night service between Liege Airport and Spain

2009-06-18 21:34:53

Dutch Air Cargo will set up a new international air connection from Liege-Airport to Madrid in Spain, operated by MiniLiner, with a Fokker 27 which has a payload of 6.0 tons, in co-operation with various cargo companies in the Benelux. This joint venture is a business partnership between DAC & MINILINER.

The contracts between DAC and Cargo companies have been officially signed and this new strategic cooperation between DAC and partners will offer premium and in-night services through the Spanish domestic networks and parts of Portugal which will start from June 3rd 2009.

Dutch Air Cargo is active within the niche market, especially within the in-night market, but also offering other Cargo services. This in-night service is quite unique. Within this network goods can be delivered in a very fast manner Same Day or Next Day. Door-to-door is also offered from Madrid throughout Spain enabling deliveries before 8.30h and even with a connection to parts of Portugal with deliveries possible before 11.00h.

Further information can be found on the website (www.dutchaircargo.eu).

With this cooperation it is the ambition to expand the in-night network and station a second Fokker 27-50 at Liege-Airport, or Germany for a new destination later this year. These new destinations will be part of and linking with the current domestic lines.

Customers can offer the goods or have them picked up by a courier for this service.

For more information :
E-mail: info@dutchaircargo.eu - Telephone. +31(0)6 - 460.32.910

Cargo B relocates its activities to Liege Airport

2009-05-16 20:57:41

Cargo B, the Belgian all cargo carrier that started operations in October 2007, has decided to relocate its hub to Liege Airport (mid 2009) to further develop its operations as well as its new routes to / from Africa. Cargo B today operates 3 weekly flights to / from South America (Sao Paolo-Viracopos, Bogota, Quito and Caracas).

At the end of 2008, its fleet, initially 2 Boeing 747-200Fs, has been replaced by a new Boeing 747-400F, having a larger capacity of 120 tonnes, and also more efficient in terms of fuel burn, operational cost and noise.

The delivery of a 2nd 747-400 freighter and the decision to relocate the activities to Liege Airport mean that Cargo B will operate its present South American and future Africa routes from Liege. Cargo B will start as from 17 May 3 weekly flights to Africa to destinations as Johannesburg, Libreville, N'Djamena, Kinshasa and Nairobi.

All destinations will be operated from Liege Airport after the move. The delivery of the new 747-400 freighter took place on May 11th 2009 from the Boeing factory in Seattle arriving at Liege Airport this 12th of May in the afternoon.

The majority of Cargo B's operations will take place during the day, and its flights will return from these two continents to Liege Airport predominantly with perishable products. This new activity at Liege Airport will again generate employment and create about 30 direct jobs.

� The economical and positive repercussions are most important for the Region, since in addition to these 30 direct employments, another 75 indirect jobs will be created �, adds Luc Partoune, General Manager of Liege Airport.

� The operational flexibility at Liege Airport, the flexibility of its Customs formalities and of the Phyto-sanitary procedures, as well as the specialisation of its handling companies has been a decisive factor for Cargo B Airlines to relocate its activities at Liege Airport �,explains Eric Gysen, Cargo Sales Manager of Liege Airport.

� The possibility to effectively operate 24 hours per day is essential to optimize the utilisation of our new B747-400F aircraft �, added Robert Kuijpers, President & CEO of Cargo B. For Liege Airport, these operations represent an increase of its traffic by 60.000 tonnes a year, and reinforces its specialization in the logistics of perishable products.

Commission hearing to discuss ways to help road hauliers affected by crisis

2009-05-08 11:28:18

Measures to help road haulage companies survive the economic crisis were discussed at a stakeholder hearing in Brussels organised by the European Commission. The hearing has attracted about 100 representatives from European road haulage associations, the Commission, the European Parliament and the European Investment Bank with the aim to collect first-hand information from stakeholders on the effects of the recession and to identify ways forward.

Commission Vice-President Antonio Tajani, in charge of transport policy, said: "The road transport sector is the most important pillar for the exchange of goods in the internal market. This stakeholder meeting helps all actors better understand how serious the consequences of the economic downturn on road transport undertakings are. At the same time it is clear that short term measures should not be taken at the expense of market integration and the objective of a sustainable transport system. The crisis must be used as an opportunity to modernise the transport sector."

The participants reviewed the impact of the crisis, its effects in terms of employment, the role of transport innovation, and future business and policy perspectives. The speakers included amongst others Mathieu Grosch and Bogusław Liberadzki, members of the European Parliament, Matthias Ruete Director General of Transport at the European Commission, Eduardo Chagas Secretary General of the European Federation of Transport Workers, Paolo Ugg�, former Transport Secretary of State in Italy and President of Italian association Conftrasporto as well as Pere Padrosa, President of the Goods Transport Council of the International Road Union.

The event

The stakeholder hearing was held in Brussels on 20 April 2009.

To find out more :

http://ec.europa.eu/transport/road/events/2009_04_20_hearing_road_haulage_en.htm

http://ec.europa.eu/transport/road/index_en.htm

Steelgate announces new facility open in Li�ge, Belgium

2009-04-03 11:59:16

Steelgate, Inc. a global leader in Biomedical Specimen Storage and Management has expanded its operations into Europe and is excited to announce the opening of Steelgate SPRL in Liege, Belgium. Steelgate SPRL debuts its European service offerings at the 2009 Biomedica in Liege.

Steelgate SPRL has spent the last several months setting up a facility located on the University Liege Sart Tilman campus and is ready for business.� Steelgate SPRL's European operation will offer the same unparalleled sample management services, assets and standard operating procedures currently offered through the company's U.S. headquarters located in Bradenton, Florida.

�Steelgate SPRL's expansion in Europe is in response to clients requests for Steelgate to have a 'local' European facility to store and manage our client's biomedical specimens while creatively assisting our clients with ways for them to try to stay within their budget,� said Kate Grayson, chief executive officer and founder of Steelgate. �The central location of Belgium, (Liege) with direct access to the life science regional hub of Maastricht, Aachen and Liege, the local agency support and BioLogistics initiative strongly influenced Steelgate's decision to settle in Wallonia. Steelgate is looking forward to the opportunity to make our contribution and be part of such an exciting collaboration within the rapidly expanding life science community.�

Steelgate's new BioRepository will target European-based pharmaceutical and biotech firms, Biobanks and research and academic organizations. As with our U.S.-based operation, Steelgate's Liege site will offer worldwide, quality service to all our clients, large and small.

Mondia Charleroi and Mondia Logistics rebrand to NYK Logistics (Charleroi) S.A.

2009-04-03 10:58:06

As of April 1st the activities of Mondia Logistics S.A. will be integrated into the activities of its sister company Mondia Charleroi S.A. and the new structure will be renamed into NYK Logistics (Charleroi) S.A.

After the acquisition by NYK Logistics in 2005, the two Belgian Mondia entities continued to function as two separate fiscal entities but were managed by a combined management team. Both companies now will act as one single fiscal entity that will be renamed into NYK Logistics (Charleroi) S.A.

Although operating under a different name, all customers can continue to rely on the high service levels and support as they were used to in the past. The rebranding into a NYK Logistics entity emphasizes the adherence of the companies to NYK Logistics North Continent, part of NYK Group Europe, Logistics Division.

On top of the local and personalised approach that characterised the companies so far, NYK Logistics (Charleroi) S.A. can offer the global services covering the entire supply chain, as only can be done by a worldwide logistics player.

As part of the Japanese NYK Group, NYK Logistics offers worldwide, integrated supply chain solutions. Within Belgium the company has 6 high quality warehouses on 5 strategic locations. Not only storage but also product adaptations are part of the services NYK can offer to its customers. Final distribution of the goods can also be managed by NYK via its extensive transportation network. Current customer portfolio encloses many renowned companies in the field of healthcare, consumer electronics and automotive.�

For more information :
Hans Snellings
Senior General Manager NYK Logistics (Charleroi) S.A.
Mail : hans.snellings@be.nyklogistics.com�- Tel: +32 (0)71 46 85 85

European Commission authorises a Belgian aid scheme for combined road/rail transport

2009-03-16 10:03:48

The Belgian aid scheme approved today will run for four years, with a budget of �25 million per year. It is designed to encourage the development of co-modal transport, in particular by rail.

The scheme is an extension of an earlier scheme authorised by the Commission in 2005.

It will benefit combined goods transport operators using the rail mode. The level of the aid has been set to compensate operators for the cost of using combined transport infrastructure which road transport does not have to bear � in particular the cost of transhipment � and to offset part of the difference between external road and rail costs.

The subsidy is to be granted where the rail component of the combined transport covers a distance of 51 kilometres or more.

This new scheme has a new feature not provided for in the previous scheme, i.e. aid for launching new combined international transport services. Combined transport operators are also required to pass on the subsidy they receive to their clients.

The Commission takes the view that the Belgian aid scheme complies with the competition rules[1] and contributes to the common transport policy goal of promoting the rail aspect of combined goods transport.

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[1] On the basis of Article 3(1)(b) of Regulation (EEC) No 1107/70 on aid for the coordination of transport.

Source : Presse Release Europa - 10th march 2009

Ethiopian Airlines � Maiden flight to Europe with their 1st Wide Body aircraft

2009-03-06 16:32:54

Press Release

It is today Thursday March 5th that the first wide body aircraft MD11 of Ethiopian Airlines operates its inaugural flight to Europe, destination Liege Airport. The aircraft departed this morning from Addis-Ababa and, after its tech-stop in Cairo, is expected at Liege Airport in the early evening.

As already announced, Ethiopian Airlines has relocated its cargo activities to Liege Airport since June 2008.

The national airline of Ethiopia operates 6 to 10 flights weekly, essentially at daytime, and is mainly carrying flowers.

Ethiopian Airlines was operating through a wet lease of aircrafts from another Airline, SOUTHERN AIR. In order to match the continuous demand for uplift northbound and also to stay in line with its growth, Ethiopian Airlines acquired 2 wide body aircrafts MD11, with a payload of approx. 85 tonnes, especially converted to freighter-configuration.

These flights will be handled by AviaPartner Liege on the ramp, and by AviaPartner Cargo Liege for what the warehouse is concerned.

Liege Airport is delighted towelcome this new aircraft ofthe Ethiopian carrier and is proud of the confidence granted by the airline.

This reconfirms as well as re-strengthens Liege Airport's specialization in the area of perishable cargo. These specific commodities represent 20% of the total cargo traffic at Liege Airport.

Source : Press Release Liege Airport - 5th March 2009

Marco Polo: third call for proposals to fight road congestion and improve performance of freight transport

2009-02-13 16:30:41

The European Commission has today published the third call for proposals for the creation and update of freight transport services under the second Marco Polo programme. Successful projects should fight congestion on European roads and improve the environmental performance of the freight transport system, two main objectives of the EU transport policy. Companies across the European Union and beyond are invited to submit proposals.

The general aim of the Marco Polo programme is to help companies introduce services that shift freight off the road and on to short-sea shipping, rail and inland waterways. This support is available during the high-risk start-up phase of the projects.

The top-ranked projects in the competitive evaluation process will be offered grant contracts of up to six years. However, only projects capable of demonstrating sustainable non-road freight transport services � i.e. projects that can survive on the market even after they cease receiving EU financial support � have a chance for a grant.

The call is open to applications for five types of actions :

- Modal shift actions which will shift freight from the road to short sea shipping, rail, inland waterways or a combination of modes of transport;
- Highly innovative catalyst actions which are aimed at overcoming structural barriers in the freight transport market in the European Union, such as low-speed of freight trains or technical interoperability problems between transport modes;
- Common learning actions which will improve cooperation and optimise working methods and procedures between actors in the freight transport chain.
- Motorways of the Sea actions which shift freight from road to short sea shipping or a combination of short sea shipping and other modes of transport, offering a very large-volume, high-frequency intermodal maritime transport service.
- Traffic avoidance actions which integrate transport into production logistics in order to reduce freight transport demand by road.

The budget for the 2009 call has been increased to �62 million compared to �60 in 2008. In parallel, the funding intensity has been raised from �1 to �2 per 500 tonne-kilometres shifted off the roads.

The full call text including information on how to apply for a grant is available on the Marco Polo website : http://ec.europa.eu/transport/marcopolo/calls/2009_en.htm

Trans-European transport networks: towards a new policy for meeting future challenges

2009-02-09 09:28:24

The European Commission adopted today a Green Paper setting out the future challenges of its policy for a trans-European transport network (TEN-T). TEN-T policy needs to be realigned to contribute more effectively to objectives aimed at combating climate change and to support Europe's increasing international role through better infrastructure connections with its neighbours and the wider world. Importantly TEN-T policy also needs to be adapted to strengthen its supporting role for economic and social development within the framework of the Lisbon strategy.

The integration of all transport modes and intelligent transport systems can be strengthened if TEN-T policy provided a basis guaranteeing efficient and safe transport services reflecting the future demands of citizens and economic operators. In the light of these challenges and lessons drawn from previous TEN-T policy implementation, the Commission sets out future objectives and proposes three options for TEN-T development, while stressing the need for coherence between planning ambitions and instruments for their implementation.

"We have to develop forward-looking responses to tomorrow's needs for transport infrastructure in Europe.� While building on 15 years of experience, we need to harness new ideas to redirect and streamline the policy approach and � more importantly � the commitment to ensure its full implementation�, said Vice-President Antonio Tajani in charge of Transport.

A better integrated trans-European transport network is the basis for efficient, safe, secure and high quality freight and passenger transport. It is crucial for contributing to common European objectives, such us the achievement of climate change objectives, providing better connections between Europe, its neighbours and the wider world and supporting economic and social development in the framework of the Lisbon strategy.

Combining all transport modes, making best possible use of fully interoperable intelligent transport systems and assimilating new transport and energy technologies are at the heart of a future-oriented network integration. These three elements support the further development of co-modal transport services for freight and passengers. In the freight sector, such a network development approach is for example vital for the expansion of logistics services which rely on the principle that each transport mode is used according to its respective advantages within the transport chain, while enhancing the efficiency of overall operations both from an economic and environmental perspective.

To support co-modal transport services for freight, infrastructure development within the framework of the future TEN-T policy needs to give particular attention to :
- the appropriate development of ports' infrastructure and more efficient hinterland connections to respond to the increasing role of maritime transport;
- the integration of fully interoperable and commercially viable rail freight corridors and of Green Corridors;
- the removal of bottlenecks on major transport axes;
- inter-modal connections, freight handling in urban areas and the potential of air freight transport;
- the application of intelligent transport systems for all transport modes and new pricing systems, stimulating efficient infrastructure use.

In parallel, necessary infrastructure for co-modal services for passenger transport (such as connections between air and rail services or integrated ticketing) need to be developed too.

TEN-T policy will build on what has been achieved before but will also look ahead to exploit new opportunities. A further key component to the successful delivery of TEN-T policy is the range of the instruments available to support its implementation. In this regard the Green Paper highlights a number of possibilities both financial and non financial, stressing the need to establish a good match between the policy ambitions and the availability of suitable instruments.

The Commission invites Member States' governments and the broad range of stakeholders � infrastructure managers and users, researches and investors, economic operators and NGOs, regional and local authorities and interested citizens � to express their views on three proposed options for TEN-T development and on the wider policy objectives. The Parliament is also preparing an own initiative report on the future of the trans-European transport network which is foreseen to be adopted by the plenary in April 2009.

Towards a European maritime transport area without barriers

2009-01-23 16:48:30

Today the European Commission adopted an action plan aimed at creating a maritime transport area without borders in Europe. This plan includes several legislative measures, including a proposal aimed at simplifying administrative formalities based on Community regulations and recommendations to Member States for reducing the administrative burdens imposed on shipping companies.

"By making maritime transport more attractive and creating new openings for it, the proposed measures will lead to a more balanced use of transport modes, based on their own merits rather than on historically different administrative formalities; this will be beneficial for the environment and for the economy," emphasised European Commission Vice-President Antonio Tajani. "The Commission considers that the necessary conditions for setting up a barrier-free maritime transport area are now in place and that relevant measures may be introduced in a staggered fashion between 2010 and 2013."

The creation of a barrier-free maritime transport area in Europe should curb the demand for road haulage, reduce freight forwarding costs, while preserving expertise and promoting jobs in the lines of work necessary for the operation of maritime transport.

The Commission points to several measures which should be put in place by the Member States. The various port inspection bodies that monitor compliance with customs, tax and health regulations and the conformance of plant and animal products often act without coordination, thus generating costs and delays which could easily be reduced. The Commission calls on the Member States to review and simplify their practices in these areas, which often come under the responsibility of local authorities.

More important, however, are the legislative measures, which are aimed at simplifying customs procedures and other reporting formalities. A Proposal for a Directive of the European Parliament and of the Council on reporting formalities for ships arriving in and departing from Community ports is annexed to the communication. Measures simplifying customs procedures will be adopted at the beginning of 2009 and guidelines aimed at accelerating plant and animal checks will be published in 2009. Port administrations may still carry out spot checks.

The action plan includes measures that are ongoing under the Modernised Customs Code, such as simplifying the formalities for Community shipping routes which include a stop in a neighbouring country, or measures that will be proposed at a later stage, along with the Member States' recommendations, mainly in the aim of coordinating, where local conditions allow, inspections conducted by the various administrative services in the ports or to award pilot exemption certificates ('PECs' ) to experienced captains.

The reduced costs and delays resulting from this administrative streamlining will benefit the entire economy and the end consumers. The proposed measures should help offset the downturn in the sector that may be feared on account of the financial crisis, designed as they are to enhance its competitiveness in relation to other modes of transport.

The creation of the single market in 1993 has helped streamline the administrative formalities for land-based transport to a great extent. Maritime transport, however, remains subject to complicated administrative procedures, even if a vessel is travelling between two EU ports (intra-Community maritime transport).

Facilities have certainly been put into place, but administrative complexity remains the norm and discourages numerous users from using maritime transport.

Yet, maritime transport offers numerous advantages. It is a viable solution for transporting a large proportion of the goods traded within the European Union, which has 100 000 km of coastline and 1 200 trading ports, and whose maritime tradition has marked its history from the very beginning.

A summary of replies to the preliminary public consultation is available online:

http://ec.europa.eu/transport/maritime/consultations/2007_12_20_barriers_en.htm

Source : Press release Europa�- 21st January 2009

Commission authorises Belgian aid scheme for modes of transport other than road

2008-12-01 09:55:06

The European Commission today approved a Belgian aid scheme for the land transport of goods to promote environmentally friendly modes of transport providing an alternative to road. The scheme will run from 2008 to 2013 with an annual budget of �3.5 million. It will encourage the development of goods transport by inland waterway and rail, including combined transport, enabling the Belgian authorities to implement an environmentally friendly mobility policy for the sustainable development of the Walloon region.The aid scheme notified to the Commission provides for a premium granted to transport operators to help fund the acquisition of land and equipment and develop the infrastructure and facilities required for transhipment. It will also go towards the acquisition of intermodal loading and unloading systems. The premium will be capped at 30% of the amount of the investment where the beneficiary is an SME[1] and 20% where the beneficiary is a large enterprise.

The aid scheme also provides for the grant of a premium for the transport of containers by inland waterway. The premium is to be granted towards part of the operating costs of such scheduled services. In the case of SMEs it will be a maximum of 30% and in the case of large enterprises a maximum of 20% of the costs of operating the services.

The Commission considers this aid compatible with the common market[2].

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[1] 'SME' as defined in Annex I to Commission Regulation (EC) No 800/2008 of 6 August 2008 declaring certain categories of aid compatible with the common market in application of Articles 87 and 88 of the Treaty � the general block exemption Regulation (OJ L 214, 9.8.2008, p. 3).

[2] Under Articles 73 and 87(3) of the Treaty.

Source : Press Release Europa - 28th Nowember 2008

TNT opens first

2008-10-27 11:49:40

TNT opens first "green" depot in the Netherlands : adoption of sustainable solutions results in energy savings of more than 70 per cent

TNT is today opening its first CO2 emission-free depot in Veenendaal, the Netherlands. The official opening is to be attended by Harry Koorstra, member of TNT's Board of Management and Group Managing Director Mail. The depot is the first in a series of "green" buildings to be used by TNT as part of its worldwide environmental programme, Planet Me. The global mail and express delivery company aims to cut the CO2 emissions of all of its buildings, totalling three million square metres of real estate in over sixty-five countries.

The exterior of this striking commercial property stands out from surrounding offices. The building is designed to allow in as much daylight as possible, reducing the amount of artificial light required. The building produces its own energy in a sustainable way. More than 300 solar panels collect sunlight and convert it into energy. Water is pumped from the ground to heat and cool the building. The depot was designed in close collaboration with the VolkerWessels construction company. TNT required the building to be CO2 neutral in operation.

VolkerWessels focused on the end users' wishes for the duration of the building project. Their concerted efforts led to creative solutions, including collecting rainwater for flushing eco-toilets and selecting low-energy coffee machines and recyclable furniture. Second-hand clinkers were used for paving. The choice of larger on-site containers for paper and non-recyclable reduces the need for emptying. The exceptional combination of techniques and measures in one business site allows energy savings of over 70 per cent compared with a traditional depot. VolkerWessels expects other end users of sustainable business premises to choose the same solutions. TNT's green depot has been operational since mid-October and functions as a mail distribution centre for Veenendaal and its surroundings.

Green Buildings

TNT's "Green Buildings" programme focuses on improving the energy efficiency of existing buildings and building best-in-class "green" offices and depots for the mail and express division. TNT has over 3,000,000 square meters of property spread across 65 countries. Different locations and buildings mean different solutions. Hubs and depots do not pose the same constraints as office buildings. Italy's regulations and climate, for instance, differ from Sweden's. TNT must adapt to this diversity.

The first "green" office will be built in Hoofddorp, the Netherlands. All new green offices will be close to public transport stations and accessible to all�� TNT's employees, regardless of their division or department. The new offices will also be closer to most employees' homes, thus reducing carbon emissions from commuting traffic. TNT's new office in Hoofddorp should be ready by second half 2010.

Planet Me

TNT's efforts to protect the climate are grouped under the name Planet Me, a worldwide environmental programme that focuses on reducing CO2 emissions in all operational areas. The programme also aims at encouraging TNT employees to take individual steps to reduce their CO2 emissions at home and on the road.

"At TNT we encourage our employees to consider the environment in their daily lives," explains Flip Verwaaijen, Director of TNT Real Estate. "As an employer, we choose to set a good example, by showing how to save energy and to be more conscious of our impact on the environment. There are more than 140 employees at the Veenendaal site who work in an exceptional energy-saving premises.� We hope to convince all our staff of the value and necessity of being more energy-aware by implementing all of these environmentally friendly measures to the full."

Clean and energy efficient vehicles get go-ahead

2008-10-27 10:43:58

The European Commission welcomes today's support of the European Parliament for its proposal to promote a broad market introduction of clean and energy efficient vehicles through public procurement. This will reduce fuel consumption as well as CO2 and pollutant emissions from road vehicles. The EP vote is based on a compromise reached with the Member States, which are expected to adopt the proposal shortly.

Commission Vice-President Antonio Tajani, in charge of transport, said: "This agreement marks an important step forward in the energy, climate and environment policies of the European Union. The public sector in Europe will set an example by promoting new and better vehicle technologies for a future sustainable transport system. This sends a clear signal to the market and to the citizens on the competitive value of technologies which save energy and protect the environment."

The proposed Directive will introduce, for the first time, energy consumption, CO2 and pollutant emissions as mandatory award criteria into public procurement of vehicles. It applies to public authorities and publicly owned undertakings and to undertakings running public passenger transport services. As a result, not only the price of a vehicle, but also the impact it creates during its lifetime for the environment are reflected in the purchase decision. Flexibility is provided for local authorities on the detailed implementation.

A harmonised methodology is defined for monetising lifetime costs for energy consumption, CO2 and pollutant emissions. This enables a transparent comparison of vehicle investment costs with the costs linked to the operation of vehicles. This facilitates an informed purchase decision and can avoid costs both for operators and for society.

The Directive is expected to have an impact well beyond its immediate scope. Public procurement is a key market of high visibility and can lead the decisions in business and private sectors. The Directive therefore is expected, over the long term, to result in a considerably faster and broader market introduction of clean and energy efficient vehicles and in a reduction of their costs through economies of scale. This will then contribute to improve energy efficiency, and reduce CO2 and pollutant emissions of the whole vehicle fleet in Europe.

Source : EU - 22 october 2008

Commission boosts inland waterway transport through a new platform � PLATINA

2008-10-03 17:18:05

The European Commission today launched its "PLATINA" project to implement more efficiently actions and measures promoting inland waterway transport. The project, which is bringing together 22 partners from 9 European countries, is funded with � 8.5 million from the Commission. PLATINA has been designed as a platform for helping to implement the European inland navigation programme NAIADES. The Commission also presented today a guide to funding opportunities in inland waterway transport, as well as the outcomes of a study on administrative and regulatory barriers affecting inland navigation, to which PLATINA will assist the follow-up in a coordinated way. More use of inland waterway transport is an efficient way to reduce congestion and CO2 emissions and to contribute, in a sustainable way, to Europe's industrial prosperity.

Beyond its role as the primary mode for transporting bulk freight, inland waterway transport has successfully established itself in higher-value markets. In order to make even better use of the potential of waterways, the Commission launched in 2006 the ambitious NAIADES action programme for the promotion of inland waterway transport. The PLATINA project, adopted under the 7th Framework Programme for Research and Technological Development, covers a broad set of actions in five strategic fields of NAIADES: improve market conditions, modernise the fleet, develop human capital, strengthen the image of inland navigation and improve the infrastructure.

PLATINA will provide technical and organisational assistance by ensuring active participation of key industrial stakeholders, associations and Member States administrations. Among the major project partners are Via Donau from Austria (coordinator), Voies navigables de France, Bundesverband der Deutschen Binnenschiffahrt (Germany), Promotie Binnenvaart Vlaanderen (Belgium) and the Rijkswaterstaat Centre for Transport and Navigation (The Netherlands).

Furthermore, PLATINA will organise expert meetings and working groups, and will carry out studies on how to better implement selected actions. For the coming year, PLATINA foresees actions such as setting up a single portal for online inland navigation information services and an inland navigation education network, as well as giving technical support for the further development of River Information Services.

For more information: www.naiades.info

Publications: http://ec.europa.eu/transport/iw/index_en.htm

An online version of the Funding Handbook is available from http://www.naiades.info/page.php?id=100&path=95

Rail transport: new agreement to accelerate deployment of the European Railway Traffic Management System (ERTMS)

2008-07-07 09:36:55

The European Commission and the rail industry (manufacturers, infrastructure managers and undertakings) today signed a memorandum of understanding in Rome aimed at accelerating deployment of the European Rail Traffic Management System (ERMTS) throughout Europe. Deployment of ERTMS, which is equally suited to high-speed and conventional railway lines, will enable trains to carry a single signalling system on board. This new European concept will reduce operating costs and enhance the efficiency of the system.

�ERTMS is a major industrial project being implemented by Europe. It is essential for improving the competitiveness and safety of the rail system and, therefore, for making rail transport more attractive to users. The memorandum of understanding signed today marks an important stage in the deployment of ERTMS,� stated Mr Tajani, Commission Vice-President responsible for transport.

ERTMS can succeed only if, on the one hand, there is full technical compatibility between the tens of thousands of kilometres of track and the trains to be equipped and, on the other, deployment is carried out swiftly and in a coordinated manner. Failing to equip just one kilometre of a route can seriously jeopardise the competitiveness of rail transport on the entire route.

The memorandum of understanding signed today is aimed at addressing these two fundamental issues, mainly by:

- using a single technical baseline[1] for all railway lines equipped with ERTMS in the European Union up to the end of 2012; - getting manufacturers to agree to include software updates in new contracts at a client's request.
- Clients (rail companies and infrastructure managers) currently complain about the excessive costs imposed by manufacturers;
- agreeing on a programme enabling a new version of the specifications[2] to be drawn up by the end of 2012 in such a manner that trains equipped with this new version can run on lines equipped with the old version;
- improving and harmonising test procedures for checking the compatibility and compliance of equipment;
- accelerating deployment of ERTMS, particularly by adopting a binding European plan and equipping new models of engine.

In the autumn the Commission will present a draft of this binding European deployment plan and at the beginning of 2009 will publish a new call for proposals amounting to around �250 million to provide financial support for the deployment of the system from the trans-European transport networks budget. Deployment of ERTMS on infrastructure is also eligible for financial support from the Regional Fund and the Cohesion Fund.

Background

Over twenty different signalling systems currently coexist on railway lines in Europe. For instance, the seven signalling systems installed on the high-speed Thalys train plying between Paris and Brussels increase the risk of breakdowns and generate extra costs. These costs are such that engines do not generally cross frontiers.

The ERTMS concept is simple: information is transmitted from the track to the train, where an on-board computer uses it to calculate the maximum authorised speed and to slow the train down automatically if necessary. The on-board computer therefore has to understand the information sent from the ground.

ERTMS can bring about a significant increase in competitiveness. That is particularly true in the case of freight when the system is deployed in a coordinated manner along a route and is accompanied by relevant measures, such as harmonisation of the operating rules or enhancement of the infrastructure if necessary. On the Rotterdam-Genova corridor, for example, the volume of goods transported could be doubled by 2020, which would be the equivalent of an additional heavy goods vehicle passing along this route every 37 seconds.

Around 2 000 km of track is currently in use in the European Union but contracts already cover almost another 30 000 km, as well as 5 000 vehicles, within Europe and even outside. These contracts consolidate the European rail industry's leading position in the world.

In March 2005, the Commission signed a first memorandum of understanding with the sector with the chief aim of studying the feasibility and economic viability of deploying ERTMS on major trans-European network routes (see IP/05/321, MEMO 05/235). The rail-freight and high-speed sectors are particularly affected by this project, which was first developed thanks to a European research programme, and then funded from the trans-European network budget.

Source: Press release Europa�(Rapid)�- 4 July 2008

TNT starts the only scheduled road services between

2008-07-04 09:52:57

Asia Road Network up to 30% cheaper than air and three times faster than seaIntra-Asia road services poised to support regional trade and business growth�

Amsterdam, Guangzhou, Singapore, 4 July 2008 � TNT, the global express company, today announces the start of the only scheduled road services between China and five countries of Southeast Asia, using its Asia Road Network. From China, international road services to Southeast Asia will first be available from the South of the country. In a second step, TNT will link the Asia Road Network to its Chinese domestic network to offer customers seamless road connections from many parts of China to Southeast Asia.�

The Asia Road Network connects to TNT's international express network at Nanning, the capital of the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, and Guangzhou, the capital of Guangdong Province. �

Introduced at the end of 2005, TNT's Asia Road Network is a fast, reliable, and secure integrated road network linking China with over 125 cities across 5,000 km in Vietnam, Thailand, Singapore, Malaysia, and Laos. It features fully inclusive secure, door-to-door, day-definite distribution service with complete track and trace capabilities, supported by a 24/7 real-time GPS tracking system. The trucks depart on schedule like trains, leaving to arrive at one of TNT's hubs and depots, in time for parcels to be unloaded, sorted, and shipped out again or delivered locally. �

�China is a very important market for TNT's strategic growth in the region; similarly, the Chinese market is also integral to many of our regional and global clients. This extension in China is driven by customer demand. Being customer focused is at the centre of how TNT approaches business. Our customers want reliable, cost effective, and secure transportation solutions and this unique service is exactly that,� says Marie-Christine Lombard, Group Managing Director of TNT's Express division. �

The extension of TNT's Asia Road Network into China is timely as regional trade is expected to thrive. Under the impending China-ASEAN Free Trade Area to be set up with six ASEAN countries in 2010, the estimated bilateral trade volume between China and ASEAN will reach US$250 billion, up from US$160 billion in 2006. With the Asia Road Network, TNT is well positioned to offer businesses in the two fast-growing regions with secure, time-definite, and cost-effective delivery services, and in turn, facilitate the growing trade and business flows in the region.�

Michael Drake, Managing Director of TNT Greater China: �Our road service provides more choice to customers shipping to and from China. It is up to three times faster than sea freight and up to 30% cheaper than air freight. That is a winning formula in times of high fuel prices."

Due to China's geographical proximity and close business links, Vietnam, in particular, will benefit from TNT's completed Asia Road Network. As Vietnam's economy continues to grow, bilateral trade volume between both countries is on the increase and offers strong business opportunities for TNT. �

TNT's Asia Road Network draws on TNT's 35-years experience in managing Europe's most extensive road network. Across Europe, TNT has about 750 trucks on international routes every day, connecting a total of 101 hubs and international depots in 35 countries. By exporting this innovative network approach to Asia, the TNT Asia Road Network will serve as a strategic initiative to further strengthen TNT's leadership position in China and the rest of Asia.��

Source: Press Release TNT - 04 July 2008

Certificate of Junior Logistics Manager

2008-06-23 11:16:53

Skechers Footwear to double its distribution center capacity in Europe

2008-06-13 10:40:49

SKECHERS USA, Inc., a global leader in lifestyle footwear, today announced that it will double its European distribution center capacity to 45,000 square meters in 2009 with the addition of an adjoining facility. SKECHERS EDC SPRL, which is located at ProLogis Park in Liege, Belgium, serves as the distribution point for SKECHERS product to 12 European countries.

"SKECHERS has been growing steadily in Europe as our subsidiaries in the region are getting a foothold in the market, achieving greater acceptance of our product. This, and the addition of several other brands � including footwear for Marc Ecko and Zoo York, has resulted in a need for increased warehouse space and shipping capabilities,� stated David Weinberg, SKECHERS' chief operating officer. �The linked facility will triple our storage capacity and enhance our distribution three-fold as we move into a partially automated pick-and-pack system. We believe we will improve the efficiency of our logistics operations necessary to leverage our distribution center costs while meeting the increased demand for our product."

The new facility, which is scheduled for completion in the second quarter of 2009, will be partially automated, allowing the Company to receive, store, retrieve, pack and ship product through a high-tech material handling system. SKECHERS has occupied Phase 1 of ProLogis Park Liege since December 2002.

SKECHERS has seven subsidiaries in Europe that service Austria, the Benelux Region, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Switzerland and the United Kingdom.

SKECHERS USA, Inc., based in Manhattan Beach, California, designs, develops and markets a diverse range of footwear for men, women and children under the SKECHERS name, as well as under several uniquely branded names. SKECHERS footwear is available in the United States via department and specialty stores, Company-owned SKECHERS retail stores and its e-commerce website, as well as in over 100 countries and territories through the Company's global network of distributors and subsidiaries in Canada, Brazil, and across Europe, as well as through a joint venture in China.

More information�: www.skechers.com

More safety on our roads - equal treatment of resident and non-resident drivers

2008-04-02 15:38:51

The Commission today adopted a proposal for a Directive aimed at facilitating the cross-border prosecution of traffic offences which imperil road safety. Technical measures and legal instruments are to be put in place which will enable EU drivers to be identified and thus prosecuted for offences committed in a Member State other than the one where his or her vehicle is registered. This will make an appreciable difference to road safety in Europe by bringing about a positive change of behaviour in both non-resident and resident drivers. It will also end the unequal treatment which often exists between these two groups of road users.
"Road safety is everyone's business and a priority for the Commission. In 2001 we set ourselves the goal of reducing by half the number of deaths on our roads over a ten-year period. If we are to reach this target, we need to make additional efforts now. The draft Directive that we have just adopted is a very important component in the suite of measures we are taking to improve safety on Europe's roads", said Jacques Barrot, Vice-President of the Commission and responsible for transport.

As things stand today, a driver committing an offence under the highway code in a car registered in another country of the European Union evades prosecution, with very few exceptions, because of the difficulty of identifying them or of being able to check the address to which the vehicle is registered. This evasion of the law not only jeopardises road safety but is also discriminatory with respect to residents committing similar offences, who are exposed to penalties.

To remedy this situation, the Commission would like to see a system introduced within the EU which will make it easier to deal across national borders with offences that are frequently the cause of accidents. A European network for the electronic exchange of data will make it possible to send notices of offences to other countries. Although this will require Member States to set up appropriate administrative instruments, it will result in a simpler procedure than today's manual approach.

The proposed Directive will cover four types of road traffic offence: speeding, drink-driving, not wearing a seat belt and failing to stop at a red light. These four offences are the leading causes of accidents and road deaths: they are involved in almost 75% of all road deaths.

Since 2001, the EU's goal in the field of road safety has been to halve the number of victims of fatal accidents in ten years. In that year (2001) 54 000 people were killed on the roads of the 27 countries which currently belong to the Union. In 2007, for the first time since 2001, there was no annual progress in cutting the number of deaths on the roads: it was still 43 000. This figure is equivalent to five medium-sized passenger aircraft crashing in Europe every week. Over the period from 2001 to 2007 the number of deaths fell by 20%, but a reduction of 37% would have been necessary to achieve the goal set for 2010.
In October 2003 the Commission adopted a Recommendation dealing with best practice on enforcement in the field of road safety (2004/345/EC). The trend in accidents shows that this non-coercive instrument is not enough to achieve results. Except in very rare cases, current bilateral agreements have had no effect. Adopting an effective system of cross-border prosecution of traffic offences should help to make an appreciable reduction in the current number of people killed in road accidents.

More information can be found on : http://ec.europa.eu/transport/roadsafety/index_en.htm

http://ec.europa.eu/transport/roadsafety/index_en.htm
�

TNT progresses towards full integration of Speedage

2008-03-18 11:56:12

TNT's road express division in India now offers 24-hour real-time track and trace facility��

TNT, one of the world's largest express delivery services company, announces the successful integration of its Indian road express division, TNT Speedage, into TNT's global information technology system, called Global Link. As a result, customers using TNT's domestic road infrastructure in India can now benefit from a 24-hour real-time track and trace facility of their shipments. The IT upgrade is a major step towards the transformation of Speedage into a full-fledged express delivery services business completely integrated in TNT's global network.�TNT now offers a common IT network for all its branches in India, including 168 Speedage offices.

TNT has invested approximately 4 million euros (INR 18 Crores) in hardware and IT network to achieve a complete Internet and computer sharing during the ICS integration process. All 168 Speedage locations are connected to TNT's Bangalore data centre, using MPLS (Multi Protocol Label Switching Architecture), IVPN and dial up networks. This launch makes TNT India the first multinational express services company to provide a single platform to track any consignment shipped through TNT - be it international or domestic, air or road. ��Providing a common IT platform was one of the most critical requirements to plan for a seamless integration of TNT and Speedage. Global Link along with other service quality enhancement initiatives has helped us elevate Speedage from a semi-express company to a complete express distribution company. Reliable, fast and accessible information is a critical success factor in our industry and we will continue to develop and invest in technology that will help us offer customers proactive and timely updates on their consignments.� Our efforts are focused on becoming the preferred choice when it comes to express distribution�, said Abhik Mitra, Managing Director, TNT India Pvt Ltd.�

Global Link is backed by PC-based Customer Interface Technology (CIT) tools that enable customers to book consignments online, view consignment status and history, and access proof of delivery. TNT offers a secure online environment, which protects customers' confidential shipping information.�In India, TNT's IT Data center is located at ITPL Bangalore. TNT's full-fledged global IT hub is in Atherstone, UK. It houses a 24- hour real time online Track and Trace system, which is linked worldwide and is continuously updated, second to second.��

More information about TNT can be found on its website http://group.tnt.com.

Liege Port Authority launches its brand-new website!

2008-02-20 15:48:20

Yachting harbour in Liege: good results too in 2007!

2008-02-20 15:47:21

Traffic 2007: large success for Liege Port Authority!

2008-02-20 15:46:35

TNT to offer e-invoices with digital signature

2008-02-12 10:39:24

TNT's time and money saving �Express Invoicing� also protects against unauthorised access

TNT announces it will offer secured electronic invoices with digital signature in over 30�countries by the end of March 2008. Called �Express Invoicing�, the new service will be available for customers in most European countries, Australia, Singapore, Hong-Kong, South Africa, Kuwait, and the United Arab Emirates. TNT's web-based e-invoicing solution is free of charge. TNT already offers e-invoices in 37�countries around the world, with another ten countries preparing to introduce the paperless invoice this year.

TNT estimates that it could eventually eliminate up to one million paper invoices per month.��Electronic invoices save time, money and trees�, says Jan Willem Breen, Director Marketing and Sales of TNT's Express division. �But with internet fraud on the rise, customers also ask for legally recognised techniques like digital signatures that authenticate the source of invoices and protect the documents' integrity. TNT invests in technology to offer more convenience and security to its customers.��For customers, TNT's e-invoicing service reduces paper processing costs and improves the accounts payable management process.

To benefit from the new service, all they need is an Internet connection and an e-mail account. TNT's Express Invoicing offers an easy-to-use and secure method for accessing, controlling and archiving invoices. Instead of a paper invoice, TNT sends an e-mail to its customers directing them to a secure website, where they enter a password to access their downloadable electronic invoices. Invoice data is current and available in several formats, including PDF and CSV. XML format will also be available by March 2008.

Study on transport and logistics in Belgium

2008-02-07 10:22:19

The Belgian Foreign Trade Agency has just published a study on transport and logistics in Belgium.

This document can be downloaded HERE.

TNT applies for Authorised Economic Operator status

2008-02-01 11:26:30

First express integrator to apply for new EU customs security standard

TNT, Europe's largest express services company, will apply for the Authorised Economic Operator (AEO) status for all its customs related, express services operations in the 27 EU countries. Working with an AEO, a new standard created by the European Commission, will benefit customers in several ways: TNT will receive priority treatment at European customs when agents inspect shipments; faster movement of goods through third country borders where the AEO status is recognised; reduced data sets for entry and exit summary declarations. TNT and its clients would thereby benefit from fewer delayed shipments, reduced theft or vandalism, and improved communication between supply chain partners.�

Effective since 1st January 2008, the European Union's AEO programme is set to increase border control with the aim to secure the international supply chain and modernise customs procedures within the EU. The AEO status will recognise safe, secure and customs compliant business partners in international trade. National customs authorities will process applications and carry out the physical evaluation.

TNT is the first of the four largest express integrators to apply for the new standard.��The AEO standard is to express carriers what the green 'Nothing to declare' line is to individual passengers: a fast-moving and formality-light solution�, says Martin Palmer, Director Global Customs of TNT's Express division. �The officials may inspect your luggage, but normally they won't. AEO stands for safety and trustworthiness.��TNT's flagship air hub in Liege is in the process of submitting an application in a pilot with the Belgian customs authorities. TNT will soon apply for the AEO status with The Netherlands, Germany, Ireland and the Czech Republic. All other EU countries will follow by mid-2008.

TNT's Mail division, known as TNT Post, in December 2007 also applied for the AEO status for its import and export mail activities in the Netherlands, as part of a pilot project with the Dutch customs.�TNT's formal application shows it satisfies four blocks of criteria: a record of compliance with customs requirements; a satisfactory system of managing commercial and transport records allowing customs controls; proven financial solvency; high security and safety standards.

Though not mandatory, TNT will provide the customs authorities with a comprehensive self-assessment on top of the required form, enabling them to process the application within 90�days from the date of receipt, instead of 300. Full accreditation is expected by mid-2009.�All TNT's express operations are already certified to five standards: Investors in People, ISO�9001 (for operational excellence), ISO�14001 (for environmental management), OHSAS 18001 (for work place safety) and SA 8000 (for social responsibility).

More information about TNT can be found on its website http://group.tnt.com.

New Web site for Jean Heck!

2008-01-24 11:50:00

Since the end of 2007, the company Jean Heck has�the pleasure to present its new web site !

This new site is available in 4 languages�(FR-DE-NL-EN) and shows a company that move, change and venture.

The different categories show�a global view of its organization, its vision, its experience, its values and objectives and most of the different�services they provide in the field of transport and logistics.

Visit them on�www.jeanheck.be

European Parliament supports proposal to reduce paper work for 300.000 freight carriers, saving � 160 million

2008-01-18 13:15:26

The European Parliament has today adopted the European Commission's proposal to remove unnecessary burdens for transport companies.. Freight carriers will no longer have to carry separate transport documents, explaining i.e. frontier crossing points, routes to be taken or distance travelled. In addition, this action rationalises outdated reporting requirements dating from 1960, allowing information on intra community transport flows, such as name and address of the consignor, nature and weight of the goods and place at which the goods are to be delivered to be collected through other available means.

The proposal also aligns the remaining information requirements with provisions in existing international conventions, while facilitating freight carriers' opportunities by allowing them to use simpler means of documentation. This simplification applies to more than 300.000 freight carriers across Europe, a majority of which is small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs). It is part of the Fast Track Actions within an Action Programme which has the objective to cut administrative burdens on businesses in the EU by 25% in 2012.

Commission Vice-President G�nter Verheugen, responsible for enterprise and industry policy said: �The reduction of administrative burdens is a key element to improve the business environment and meet the European Union's ambitious Lisbon objectives. The Commission therefore welcomes European Parliament's support for a quick adoption of its Fast Track Action removing unnecessary information requirements falling on some 300.000 European freight carriers, who will be saving 160 million Euro annually."

Commission Vice-President Jacques Barrot, responsible for transport added:"it is a good example showing how to reduce administrative burdens without endangering road safety, environment and fair competition in the sector. I hope that the Council will now quickly adopt our proposals on entry to the occupation and market access in a further step forward to simplify the rules and reduce administrative burdens."

According to estimates available from Member States which have already carried out national Administrative Burden measurements, the current outdated requirements produce an annual administrative cost of approximately EUR 160 million. Out of the estimated 300.000 businesses affected, approximately 100 are rail operators, 7.000 inland waterway operators and the rest road freight carriers. A substantial number of these operators are SMEs for whom unnecessary administrative obligations can be particularly burdensome.

The regulation from 1960 requires carriers of goods across EU borders to provide certain information on tariffs, agreements, price deals and transport conditions. These requirements stem from a time when intra-EU transport was heavily regulated. With liberalisation of goods transport, a great part of the required information is no longer needed.

The amendments adopted in the Parliament today ensure that obsolete reporting requirements are removed and duplication is avoided so that the freight transport sector can become more efficient. At the same time, useful information will continue to be available to users. This includes information concerning the involved parties, the goods and transport charges that can be found on other documents such as consignment notes that normally accompany the goods when being transported or in carrier's accounts.

The EU Member States are expected to adopt this proposal shortly.

Source�: European Union - 15 january 2008

Paper on economic importance of Belgian transport logistics

2008-01-11 16:19:25

This paper is the outcome of a first research project on the Belgian transport logistics sectors. In the past few years, the logistics business has turned out to play a significant part in wealth creation in our country, whose economy is driven by services. This study can be seen as an extension of Working Paper No. 115 on Belgian ports, issued in May 2007, as the activities under review are closely tied to transport in general and maritime transport in particular.

Considering that this is a first attempt to estimate the economic importance of Belgian transport logistics, it was decided to favour a sectoral approach, by focusing on some freight transport logistics sectors clearly defined in the NACE classification. The impact is presented in two parts: the direct effects and the indirect effects. Furthermore, a short analysis is provided about the economic impact of other activities, such as inhouse logistics and the case of the European distribution centres.

An overview of some developments per sub-sector is provided for the period 2000 - 2005, with the emphasis on 2005. The core of the analysis, which is statistical and therefore not based on a survey, looks more specifically into developments in terms of value added, employment, investment and the financial situation of the companies concerned. A first estimate of developments over the 2005 - 2006 period is also provided for value added and employment.

Annual accounts data from the Central Balance Sheet Office are used for the calculation of direct effects, the study of financial ratios and analysis of the social balance sheet. Also worth mentioning is that the indirect effects of the activities concerned have been estimated in terms of value added and employment, on the basis of data from the national accounts (NAI). A comprehensive analysis of the linkages between the sectors under review and the other Belgian sectors is presented.

The activities under review accounted for no less than 3.1 p.c. of Belgian GDP and 3.4 p.c. of domesticemployment in 2005. Including indirect effects, these percentages respectively amounted to 5 and 5.3 p.c. in the same year. Taking some survey data into account, the overall impact would reach roughly 8 p.c. of the Belgian economy, if transport logistics business provided by external branches on the one hand and inhouse transport logistics on the other were added to these above-mentioned sectoral percentages.

The paper is HERE

TNT's Asia Road Network expands into China : Delivering upon its 'Focus on Networks' strategy

2007-12-19 10:47:07

TNT today announces�the expansion of its Asia Road Network into China. TNT thus becomes the�first integrator in Asia to operate an integrated road network linking over 120 cities in Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Indochina and China�across 4,000 kilometres. The road network, which connects Singapore to�Nanning, the capital city of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, and�Guangzhou, the capital of the Guangdong Province, will become fully�operational early 2008 after completion of the last trials. The Asia�Road Network connects to TNT's international express network in China.�Linking it to TNT's Chinese domestic network will be a next step. This�move will eventually allow TNT's customers to benefit from seamless road connections in the region.

Introduced at the end of 2005, TNT's Asia Road Network connects�Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand and China through the north-eastern�border of Vietnam. Boasting 24x7 real-time Global Positioning Satellite�(GPS) tracking of TNT's container trucks, TNT has seen double-digit�growth in overall volumes since the launch in 2005. The growth is�largely driven by customers moving high-value goods such as electronic,�automotive and computing components. The road service is two to three�times faster than sea freight and offers customers, significant savings�of up to 30 per cent compared to air freight.

Marie-Christine Lombard, managing director of TNT Express, said: "We�are happy to add China to our Asia Road Network. This is another�milestone in our strategy to build and integrate express networks�within and between selected emerging markets, which marks our strong�commitment to grow in Asia. As we continue to enhance the�intra-regional connectivity through our robust road network, the�completion of the TNT Asia Road Network will strengthen our�capabilities to support the growing intra-regional trade flows by�offering customers a secure, time-definite and cost-effective delivery�service to more cities in key emerging markets across Asia. China is an�integral part of TNT's global growth strategy because it is a very�important market for many of our regional and global clients. TNT's�Asia Road network will be a strategic initiative to differentiate TNT in China and the rest of Asia."

For further information :
TNT Media Relations��
Pieter Schaffels��
Phone: +31 20 500 6171��
Email: Pieter.Schaffels@tnt.com

��

��

ImmoQuest creates a new dynamism in communications and information on the real estate market

2007-12-14 11:13:36

Dataquest, the department of Consulting & Research at ImmoQuest presents its first study

The first real estate study is on the Airports involved in what is called EuroCarex: TGV Freight airports have just made their appearance in Europe. DataQuest, the Department of Consulting & Research at ImmoQuest provides a perspective on the creation of an intermodal TGV Freight network as it concerns business real estate in the airport zone of Li�ge.

It has been clearly demonstrated that transportation facilities are essential for the economic competitiveness of regions. However, today various factors such as congestion and pollution appear to be major problems.�Liege Airport has understood this problem very well and therefore became a founding member of the Roissy CAREX (standing for Cargo Rail Express) Association, which has launched a project called EURO CAREX.

This project aims to create a network of express railway freight services within a radius of 800 kilometres of the� Roissy Airport. �In this context, as a participant in the project, the Airport of Li�ge has as its goal to take part in the first stage of Carex and to be the entryway to Germany and Eastern Europe. �

Through this study, Dataquest shows the economic potential that the airport platform of Li�ge has the capacity to generate. In 23 points, DataQuest brings together and juxtaposes various developments located around this platform. By pooling information coming from various public sector, economic and private actors, Christophe Nihon has wanted to demonstrate the synergies and partnerships existing among all of these types of investors.

Investments in infrastructure and partnerships promote private investment in real estate.�For all these reasons, Christophe Nihon maintains that the airport zone of Li�ge is doing well and is continuing to be a secure asset for those investing in corporate real estate.

The website of ImmoQuest has been on line from the start of December.

And, in the midst of it all, the first QuestLetter was published on the site. �ImmoQuest, the advisory company on real estate investment created 6 months ago by Christophe Nihon, has launched its new website www.immoquest.be. True to its� philosophy as a 'Real Estate Hunter,' Immoquest uses its site to speak to real estate investors who are seeking opportunities in the Region of Wallonia.

�The new ImmoQuest website has everything necessary to please its visitors. It presents the company in a detailed manner. It is segmented according to the profiles of real estate investors. It gives detailed information about properties now being actively sought by ImmoQuest clients or already put up for sale. And, of course, the company news of ImmoQuest is also there.

The new site uses a modern and clear navigation and has a high-performance� design prepared by Graphic Plugin. It perfectly suits the spirit of the company: dynamic and serious, ingenious and attractive.�Finally, this site provides for free downloading of a series of market studies made by DataQuest, the Department of Consulting & Research of ImmoQuest, as well as the QuestLetter, an information bulletin.

The First Information Letter from ImmoQuest �

Available to all visitors of the website, the QuestLetters have the mission of providing information on the markets and transactions being dealt with. In a clear and concise manner, they touch upon the most innovative and interesting subjects in terms of real estate investments. �

In another approach, this time as local patriot, ImmoQuest shows off the real estate dynamism of the Li�ge region and does so without compensation. The company wishes to handle various subjects from the local real estate news in an original manner, through the eyes of that real estate professional, Christophe Nihon�In the table of contents of this first QuestLetter you will find the presentation of the first QuestStudy and diverse news from ImmoQuest.

The Hiring of a Research Officer

With the launch of the Department of Consulting & Research at ImmoQuest, the company grew in stature thanks to the arrival of Maud P�duzy, Research Officer. �The naming of a Research Officer is in line with the wish to offer high quality information, and more particularly, precise data on the Walloon real estate market.�

Maud P�duzy (23 years old) has a degree in communications and already showed her abilities within the Economic Redeployment Group of the Land of Li�ge (GRE), as well as in a first quality banking group. Perfectly trilingual, she is responsible for DataQuest communications and research, with the objective of providing a perspective on the various studies of the Walloon real estate market.

Contact information:��

ImmoQuest � Christophe Nihon sprl
Rue de Campine 242B � 4000 LIEGE BELGIQUE
Fax�: +32 (0)4/224.25.06
Mobile�: +32 (0)472/46.90.16
Mail : Christophe.nihon@immoquest.be�- URL : http://www.immoquest.be��

Een naam en een bouwtoelating voor de logistieke ontwikkeling in Milmort

2007-12-14 11:11:12

Nederlandse versie

Juni jongstleden kondigde Immoquest een formidabele kans aan voor de Luikse regio.In een exclusieve samenwerking tussen, de ondernemer Janssen uit Geel en Fortis Real Estate, commercialiseert Immoquest meer dan 86.000m2 logistieke gebouwen voor een totale investering van 40.000.000�.

De bouwvergunning voor de eerste fase van 30.000m2, welke werd aangevraagd in augustus, werd eind november bekomen. Daarom kunnen we nu, voor midden januari van 2008, het begin der werken aankondigen voor een eerste fase van 20.000m2. Uiteraard indien de weersomstandigheden het toelaten. Alle redelijkheid in acht genomen mogen we er dus vanuit gaan dat de eerste 20.000m2, eind september 2008 beschikbaar zullen zijn.

Inmiddels kreeg de site ook een naam toebedeeld :��LIEGISTICS 34� (three four)

De meest voor de hand liggende reden voor dit cijfer is de ligging van de site onmiddellijk aan het op- en afrittencomplex 34 van de E313.

Verder gaat het om een woordspel met de cijfers 3 (three) en 4 (four),�
-�3 acteurs: �Fortis Real Estate, Ondernemingen Janssen en Immoquest�
-�3 autoroutes � E313 � E40 � E25�

Voor�: �
-�4 ontwikkelingsfases
-�Het kernwoord: ��Li�gistics�� verwijst naar de �ligging� in de regio en het �vocale� in het woord logistiek van de zone.

Christophe Nihon herinnert eraan dat elke fase onderverdeeld kan worden in delen vanaf 4700 m2 en het binnen de mogelijkheden ligt om de beantwoorden aan vragen tot 86.000m2 en dit binnen een redelijke termijn van 6 maanden.

Voor alle contact:

ImmoQuest � Christophe Nihon sprl
Rue de Campine 242B � 4000 LIEGE - BELGIQUE
Fax�: +32 (0)4/224.25.06
Mobile�: +32 (0)472/46.90.16
Mail : Christophe.nihon@immoquest.be�- URL : http://www.immoquest.be��

en/of

Janssen Logistics - Frank De Ridder
Van Doornelaan 4 - 2440 GEEL -�BELGIE
Fax�: +32 (0)14 59 03 02
GSM�: +32 (0)499 93 68 01
Mail :�Frank.de.ridder@janssen.be��

Two new European coordinators for the trans-European transport networks

2007-10-01 16:16:01

The Commission, on a proposal from Vice-President Barrot, has just appointed two new European coordinators in the trans-European transport networks sector: Mrs Karla Peijs for inland waterways and Mr Luis Valente de Oliveira for the "motorways of the sea". These coordinators will facilitate the dialogue between the Member States concerned so as to synchronise the work and the financing plans better. "These projects are essential for developing a sustainable transport policy, but they also have considerable implementation problems to tackle: the choice of these two well-known personalities in the transport world will guarantee success", said Mr Barrot.

The Commission had already adopted, on 20 July 2005, a decision on the designation of six European coordinators to facilitate the coordinated implementation of certain priority projects between Member States. The European coordinators have become reference figures and their work has had a positive impact on these projects.

Encouraged by this successful experience, Vice-President Barrot has proposed to the Commission to designate two new coordinators: Mrs Karla Peijs for inland waterways and Mr Luis Valente de Oliveira for the "motorways of the sea".

Mrs Karla Peijs was the Dutch Minister of Transport from 2003 to 2006. Before that, between 1989 and 2003 she was a Member of the European Parliament. She is now going to be in charge, in particular, of priority projects 18 ("Rhine/Meuse-Main-Danube") and 30 ("Inland waterway Seine-Scheldt"). These two projects are essential to improving the cohesion of the trans-European inland waterway network and making this mode of transport more competitive. The first concerns the removal of several bottlenecks which are severely restricting the efficiency of the Rhine-Main-Danube route but at the same time are in sensitive natural environments. The second aims in particular to fill an important gap in the network by connecting the North Sea ports with the Paris Basin.

Mr Luis Valente de Oliveira has performed a number of roles in the Portuguese Government in recent years, having been, in particular, Minister for Regional Planning and Administration from 1985 to 1995 and Minister for Public Works, Transport and Housing from 2002 to 2003. Developing the "motorways of the sea", now to be his responsibility, is intended to ease the modal shift in goods transport from road to sea. It consists in setting up regular high-quality maritime connections between different European Union seaports, to form a fully-integrated multimodal chain which will overcome road transport bottlenecks while at the same time better integrating the EU's outlying regions and islands.

For more information on the trans-European transport networks see:http://ec.europa.eu/ten/transport/index_en.htm

New signalling equipment for Infrabel to improve regularity and safety

2007-09-24 15:42:48

Alstom and Siemens sign a framework contract with Infrabel for the supply and installation of new equipment to improve regularity and safety

Infrabel, the Belgian railway infrastructure administrator, is undertaking a signal-box concentration project to increase the regularity and safety of rail traffic by installing new modern and reliable equipment. In order to achieve these objectives, Infrabel has just agreed a contract with BELGOSIGNAL, a Siemens Belgium/Alstom Belgium consortium. This five-year framework contract is for the supply and installation of the equipment required for these new signal boxes, and is worth a total of �414 million.

Long-established, unparalleled expertise

The Belgosignal contract was won on the back of the technical expertise accumulated by the two companies since the nineties in the modernization of railway infrastructure in Belgium. Indeed, Siemens Transportations Systems' EPB systems and Alstom Transport's PLP equipment were developed entirely by the partners' Belgian research departments, and over the years these experts have implemented innovative, cutting-edge technology to develop their solutions. This Belgian know-how has allowed an extensive offering to be made to Infrabel as part of this project, from the original design to the signal-box settings.

Siemens will be in charge of supplying and installing the high-availability computers, power equipment and optical control panels, as well as commissioning and maintaining all of the IT equipment. Alstom Belgium will be supplying and installing the interlocking equipment in the 31 signal boxes, as well as the 1400 trackside equipment boxes.

Alstom Belgium has been investing significantly in research and development for electronic safety systems for more than twenty years, which has resulted in the Charleroi site being designated an Alstom-group global center of excellence for signaling. This ambitious project reinforces both partners' local presence, both technologically and financially, as it will lead to about twenty more employees being taken on at Siemens and about forty at Alstom.

Dachser officialy opens its European platform in Mouscron

2007-09-20 12:24:51

The�DACHSER Group, employing 15 000 people in 294 agencies worldwide opens its new logistic base in Mouscron on the 25th of septembre.

This investment of�6,3 millions d'euros comprises a new 8.000 square meters warehouse with 71 gates. This location is strategic for the DACHSER group; around 150 people work there.

This new location has a particular strategic importance considering the reconversion of Wallonia and the development of the l'Eurom�tropole Lille-Kortrijk-Tournai. Moreover this new development is important for Wallonia due to the efforts made in the framework of the Marshall Plan.

The world chairman of the group, Monsieur Bernhard Simon, will officially opens this new facility on the 25th of september.

FedEx builds a new EMEA HQ in Belgium

2007-09-17 09:20:44

FedEx Express revealed today its plan for the building of a new regional HQ for�Europe, the Middle-East, the Indian subcontinent and Africa at La Hulpe (Belgium). The new building will be designed by the well-konwn architect�Andr� Jacqmain.

This announcement is the consequence of the city council decision to deliver the building permit and the requested environmental licenses to FedEx. Robert W. Elliott, manager�FedEx Express EMEA, underlines that�La Hulpe is the ideal location for the HQ due to its central location in Europe. It moreover allows FedEx to maintain its Belgian workers thanks to international connections, public transportation and the location in a commercial zone close to a green environment.

FedEx Express is present in Belgium since 23 years and has premises in three locations. This move�will concerne around 600 people, mainly office and managment staff. The logistic staff�will remain in Antwerp, Ghent, Li�ge and Melsbroek.

Source : The Lloyd - 14 septembre 2007

Available funds for walloon companies at the EBRD

2007-06-29 15:50:06

The Economic and Commercial Counsellor of the Walloon Region in London informs us that the AWEX Fund at the EBRD is scarcely used. The EBRD has been created to help the East and Central European countries to bring their economies at the West European standards.

Some sectors have been privileged : transport, electricity, water and waste treatment.

If a company has a project coming from the private sector in one of these countries, the feasability study can be covered by the EBRD.

More�information :
Didier DENAYER, Economic and Commercial Counsellor
Tel. : +44 (0)20 7235 0616
E-mail : london@awex.co.uk

More information about the�EBRD : http://www.ebrd.com