ECG – The Association of European Vehicle Logistics Issue 16.35, 29th August – 2nd September 2016

CONTENTS

NEWS FROM BRUSSELS 2

Hearing of EMIS Committee on car emissions 2

AUTOMOTIVE INDUSTRY 3

Great Wall to complete Russian plant despite shaky economy 3 America sets the bar high on lorry emissions 3 Germany goes to EU with accusation of Fiat emissions cheating 4

EUROPE 4

French hauliers plan protest blockade in Calais 4 FTA says UK border controls must remain in Calais 5

Ladies wanting to take up truck driving on the rise 5

REST OF THE WORLD 6

China-Russia trade corridor pilot shows readiness for future TIR roll-out 6

PRESS RELEASES 7

Höegh enters the cyber revolution with New Horizon vessels 7 BMW Group Brazil celebrates first shipment to the US 8 Finnlines: The Arbitral Tribunal established the fair purchase price 9 New website Frits Mehrtens Consultancy bv 9

Certificate in Automobile Logistics Management

Practice-oriented intensive course for innovative logistics professionals

• The ECG Academy is the education arm of ECG – The Association of European Vehicle Logistics

• The only formal qualification available anywhere in finished vehicle logistics, the Certificate in Automobile Logistics Management is recognised worldwide

• More than 170 alumni now working in the sector across Europe for both LSPs and OEMs

• Fully accredited by the KPMG Education Unit• Courses start every October with 5 modules over

a minimum of 19 days in operational locations around Europe with lectures from industry experts and leading logistics academics

• Excellent networking opportunities and you will build relationships that will last your whole career

Go to www.ecgassociation.eu NOW for more information and to download the application form. Or, if you would like to discuss any aspect of the course, please call Mike Sturgeon at ECG on +32 2 706 8280.

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ECG & other industry events

►ECG Eastern Regional Meeting, 22nd September, Kiev, Ukraine ►ECG Maritime & Ports Working Group, 28th September, Barcelona, Spain ►Shortsea European Conference 2016, 29-30th September, Port of Barcelona, Spain Early bird rate: €300 (incl. VAT) Early bird period for ECG members until 10th September ►ECG Conference, 20-21st October, Hamburg, Germany ►Quality Working Group Meeting, 8th November, Brussels, Belgium ►ECG UK & Ireland Meeting, 9th November, London, UK ►ECG Land Transport Working Group, 22nd November, Frankfurt am Main, Germany ►ECG Maritime & Ports Working Group, 30th November, Port of Grimsby, UK ►ECG Academy Alumni Meeting, 2nd December, Bremen, Germany

NEWS FROM BRUSSELS

Hearing of EMIS Committee on car emissions (Source: EU Reporter, 30th August & European Parliament, 31st August 2016) The Inquiry Committee on Emission Measurements in the Automotive Sector (EMIS) heard Günter Verheugen, Commissioner for Enterprise and Industry 2004-2010, on how the current legislation on car emissions was drafted during his tenure. MEPs also heard Peter Lakin, Vice President of Faurecia, on emission control technologies. Former Commissioner Verheugen argued that as Commissioner for industry his main responsibility was to keep the EU car industry globally leading and competitive, with rules best suited for technological development, including pollutants’ limits. He relied on experts for the drafting of the directives on Euro 5 (on particles) and Euro 6 (NOx). It was clear that type approval tests didn’t represent real driving conditions and therefore a new test started to be developed in 2007 but no one suspected that manufacturers would cheat using so-called defeat devices. MEPs pressed Mr Verheugen on the question if the rules are so vague that they allow for mis-interpretation. Verheugen insisted that defeat devices had already been banned at an earlier stage and that those provisions were copied into ensuing rules, but MEPs stressed that this was the case for lorries only. They also deplored the lack of a definition of what constitutes a defeat device. Mr Verheugen conceded that at the time nobody considered the possibility of sophisticated cheating at emissions tests and that in hindsight the rules might be perceived as lacking clarity. He also set out that until the end of his mandate in late 2009, no procedures against any Member State for not applying the rules were started, while imposing sanctions against manufacturers was only possible if national authorities reported on irregularities - which didn’t happen either. MEPs also quizzed the former Commissioner on the lengthy procedure for developing new tests and on the Commission decision to focus mainly on the reduction of CO2 emissions, neglecting the harmful NOx. Mr Verheugen insisted that changes to the so-called type approval was on the right track at the time but he declined to speculate on why it took so long to complete. The Commission focused on CO2-reduction as that was part of the EU global commitment in the fight against climate change. Mr Verheugen concluded that together with his team he took decisions which were right at the time. “Former Commissioner Günter Verheugen did not bring clarity to the issue at his appearance before the inquiry committee on car emissions on 30th August. Specifically, he did not explain why EU legislation on emissions was pushed through in 2007 when it was clearly known that real-world driving car emissions vastly differ from those in laboratory conditions, to the detriment of public health and the environment,” said EPP Group Spokesman in the Inquiry Committee, Krišjānis Kariņš MEP, after the hearing in the EMIS Committee. After rejecting two previous invitations, former European Commissioner for Industry Günter Verheugen finally appeared before the EMIS Committee. Verheugen was the legislative father of the problematic directives and regulations on car emissions exposed by the VW scandal and he has more answers to give. “Verheugen did not provide a sufficient answer as to why there was no response to possible cheating by light duty vehicle producers following findings on truck manufacturers using defeat devices in the market in the United States back in 1998,” said Krišjānis Kariņš. It has also become apparent that several other people in the European institutions are responsible for having put in place the controversial piece of legislation that made it possible for car manufacturers to cheat. The result was higher emissions of NOx than allowed in the legislation. “Given that S&D Group MEPs from car-producing regions in Germany were moving this legislation forward with the former German Industry Commissioner Verheugen for years, it would be fruitful to invite both Bernd Lange MEP (S&D) and Matthias Groote MEP (S&D) to the EMIS Committee,” Krišjānis Kariņš concluded. The Committee will meet again on Monday 5th September, when Janez Potočnik, Commissioner for the Environment from 2010 to 2014, and

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Finished Vehicle Logistics by Rail in

Europe

Download your copy from the ECG website!

“Finished Vehicle Logistics by Rail in Europe” is an irreplaceable publication that extensively discusses the rail transport sector from the perspective of FVL, taking into account the complexity of European rail.

This book is available free of charge for ECG members on the website!

With any questions please refer to the ECG Secretariat

Antonio Tajani, Commissioner for Industry and Entrepreneurship from 2010 to 2014, will answer to questions from MEPs. Almost all Parliamentary groups reacted to the EMIS hearing of former Commissioner Verheugen. You can read the EPP, S&D, ECR and GUE/NGL press releases.

AUTOMOTIVE INDUSTRY

Great Wall to complete Russian plant despite shaky economy (Source: Automotive News Europe, 29th August 2016) Great Wall Motor Co., China’s largest SUV/crossover maker, is moving ahead with construction of a full-scale assembly plant in Russia even though sales are slow there. The factory, under construction in the Tula Oblast region of central Russia, is due to launch production in 2018, Great Wall said in a new financial report. The 2.1bn yuan ($314m) plant will produce up to 150,000 vehicles a year after reaching full capacity, according to information Great Wall released in 2014. The automaker expects the factory to help it revive sales in Russia. Due to Russia’s troubled economy and export tariffs, Great Wall has yet to ship any vehicles there this year. In 2015, Great Wall’s exports to Russia plunged 79% to 3,181 vehicles. The automaker already operates a production plant in Bulgaria, which opened in 2012. The plant in Lovech, 150km northeast of Sofia, supplies vehicles for the European market. Several other Chinese automakers, including Chery Automobile Co. and Chongqing Lifan Industry Group Co., export a small number of vehicles to Russia.

America sets the bar high on lorry emissions (Source: Transport & Environment, 30th August 2016) The United States has set new standards for carbon dioxide emissions from lorries, which are sufficiently ambitious to threaten to leave Europe’s truck-making industry behind. The International Council on Clean Transportation (ICCT) described the new standards as ‘a big win-win’ for their potential to cut both costs and greenhouse gases, while T&E said they were ‘as much about environmental leadership as about innovation’. The new standards are the second phase of Barack Obama’s climate action plan for trucks. The first phase was finalised in 2011 and came into effect for 2014’s new vehicles. The second phase has now been agreed by two leading US government agencies – the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration – and will apply to new vehicles from 2021. For the first time, trailers are covered by fuel efficiency standards, along with engines. The standards are expected to lower CO2 emissions by about 1.1 billion tonnes, save vehicle owners around $170bn (€152bn) in fuel costs, and prevent up to 2 billion barrels of oil being consumed over the next 10 years. In relative terms, it means US lorries will produce 10% less CO2 and consume 10% less fuel by 2027 than they do now. More importantly, the fuel savings caused by meeting the new standards will exceed the costs of the necessary technology, enabling truck buyers to cover the additional costs within two years, the EPA said. On average, fuel bills represent one-third of the operating costs of running a fleet of lorries in Europe. The two agencies calculate that the benefits outweigh the costs by a ratio of about 8 to 1. The ICCT said the new standards were ‘a big win-win on big trucks’. An ICCT statement said: ‘The agencies are to be commended for a very rigorous stakeholder engagement and regulatory development process, which has produced the most comprehensive and technically ambitious regulation for commercial vehicle efficiency in the world. This far-sighted regulation will continue to drive the development and deployment of cost-effective fuel-saving technologies.’ T&E welcomed the standards and said they presented a big challenge to the EU. T&E’s clean trucks officer Stef Cornelis said: ‘Having already

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proven that standards are an effective tool for tackling trucks’ emissions, the US is again showing leadership and vision on the ever-growing climate problem of transporting goods by road. This is a wake-up call to European lawmakers who have said they will regulate truck CO2 emissions – they now need to take ambitious action or we will see American lorries overtake European ones on clean technology.’ Industry, environmental groups and other stakeholders have been given 60 days to comment on the rules, which regulators are expected to finalise early in 2017.

Germany goes to EU with accusation of Fiat emissions cheating (Source: EurActiv, 1st September 2016) Germany’s Transport Ministry has asked the European Commission to investigate exhaust emissions of Fiat Chrysler vehicles for potential illegal manipulation devices, German government documents showed on 1st September. Germany’s motor vehicle authority KBA began testing the vehicles of several manufacturers, including Fiat, after Volkswagen’s admission in September last year that it had cheated emissions tests with motor-management software. The direct approach to the European Union executive comes after the German transport ministry raised concerns over Fiat vehicles with Italian authorities earlier this year and a subsequent rejection by Italian authorities of claims that Fiat and Chrysler vehicles used illegal exhaust manipulation devices. This week’s letter to the European Commission, which was seen by Reuters, said that tests by German authorities on the Fiat 500X, Fiat Doblo and Jeep Renegade could prove the “illegal use of a device to switch off exhaust treatment systems” and urged the Commission to consult with Italian authorities to resolve the issue. A Fiat spokeswoman said on 1st September that the company’s cars conform to current emissions rules and do not contain defeat devices. The Commission, meanwhile, said that it is the responsibility of the Italian authorities to remedy wrongdoings. “It is first and foremost a dialogue between the two Member States concerned, with an obligation to keep the Commission informed and the possibility for the Commission to facilitate a solution if no agreement can be found,” the Commission said in a statement. As part of a widening clampdown on health-threatening nitrogen oxide (NOx) pollution levels in the wake of the VW scandal, the KBA tested 53 different vehicles and found that car makers were making liberal use of what they described as a “thermal window”. This refers to the time when car makers are allowed to throttle back exhaust emissions management systems to protect engines from potential damage from condensation when cars are started in very cold conditions. During their investigations, the KBA found that a very wide range of temperatures was used by car makers for thermal windows.

EUROPE

French hauliers plan protest blockade in Calais (Source: Lloyd’s Loading List, 30th August 2016) French haulage firms affiliated to the country’s leading trade federation, FNTR, are planning to block traffic around Calais next week in protest against what they claim is an upsurge in attacks on truck drivers and their vehicles over the past few weeks. Interviewed by the Nord Littoral newspaper, the FNTR’s General Secretary for the Nord Pas de Calais region, Sébastien Rivera, said the action was designed to impress upon the French government the need to take control of the migrant situation in the vicinity of Calais. “Things can’t continue as they are,” he said. “When is it going to stop?” He said that on 5th September, FNTR members would assemble two truck convoys, one leaving from Dunkirk and the other from Boulogne-sur-Mer, which would converge at Calais with the consequence of either blocking or seriously disrupting road traffic. In a statement, the FNTR said: “Despite the presence of

ECG FORUM

Creating a tool for better communication among ECG members was the rationale behind the creation of the ECG members’ Forum. As the ECG Secretariat often received questions from members that were of general interest, we decided to launch a tool where members can raise an issue and directly share it with other members. What is the Forum for?

Sharing best practices among members

Seeking for advice from other ECG members on legal, operational, quality issues or even on regional topics

Giving feedback on topics that are of interest to other members

How it works?

You should have your personal login for the ECG website

If you don’t yet have a personal login, please ask for one from the ECG Secretariat

The personal login is needed as the post on the Forum will be linked to your name

Please read the legal disclaimer before using the Forum

The language of the Forum is English

We hope ECG members will start using the Forum on a regular basis! If you have any suggestions on how to improve the Forum, please contact the ECG Secretariat with your ideas.

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law enforcement officers, the attacks have got worse and our vehicles set on fire. We are constantly informing the authorities about what is going on and we can’t leave our drivers in such a state of insecurity.” In one of the most recent incidents, a driver required hospital treatment when a projectile was fired at the window of his cab. However, security measures have been stepped up on Calais’ ring road, with better lighting and the cutting back of hedgerows bordering the highway in order to deny migrants cover. It is not just road traffic that is being disrupted at Calais. Earlier this summer, a new ‘rail motorway’ service for unaccompanied road trailers between the French Pyrenees and the Channel port, with connections to the UK, VIIA Britanica, was suspended indefinitely following repeated incursions by migrants. A date for the resumption of the service has yet to be announced.

FTA says UK border controls must remain in Calais (Source: FTA, 30th August 2016) As talks between Home Secretary Amber Rudd and her French counterpart Bernard Cazeneuve get underway in Paris, the UK’s Freight Transport Association (FTA) has re-stated its concern that UK border controls should remain in Calais. Under the Le Touquet agreement established in 2003, Britain can carry out checks in Calais to stop migrants trying to get to Britain, while French counterparts can do the same in Dover. The arrangement is mutually beneficial and FTA says any change would cause chaos. FTA Deputy Chief Executive James Hookham said: “Sending the UK border controls back to Kent would create chaos for cross-Channel freight traffic. The layouts of both the Port of Dover and the Folkestone Channel Tunnel terminal would need to be completely redesigned and the number of sailings and shuttles would be limited to the rate at which passport and immigration checks could be completed upon arrival. This would be bad news for Britain and France. FTA supports the continued co-operative working of the British and French governments over these issues and urges that the safety and security of port and tunnel users, especially truck drivers be prioritised.” Some French political leaders have called for the border to be moved back to the UK, or for migrants to be allowed to make UK asylum claims while in France. FTA says the Jungle Camp – where numbers have swelled to more than 9,000 – should be moved away from the port to prevent the ongoing attacks on truck drivers. FTA is also calling for proper processing procedures to be put in place to ensure that genuine asylum seekers quickly receive the help they need.

Ladies wanting to take up truck driving on the rise (Source: FTA, 30th August 2016) Over 79% of ladies are keen to get behind the wheel of a lorry, and there is a rise in younger women wanting to take up driving – according to FTA figures revealed on 30th August. A Twitter poll carried out by the Freight Transport Association, asked ladies if they were willing to drive a 44-tonne truck as less than 1% of truckers are currently female. 79% of respondents voted ‘yes.’ As a result, FTA now says it is important to explore why more women aren’t coming into the industry. Around 2,200 of the 315,000 registered truck drivers in the UK are female, but recent statistics show that the gender balance, and younger women wanting to enter the profession is improving with 15% aged between 21 and 25. Sally Gilson, FTA Skills Policy Development Manager says: “We believe that one of the biggest barriers for would-be truck drivers is the cost of gaining a licence and training - around £3,000. FTA has been calling on Government to provide a suitable loan system. The current Personal Career Development Loan option is not appropriate and a simple change to allow Level 2 qualifications to be included within the 19+ loan would provide the quickest and best solution.” Solving the current shortfall of over 45,000 HGV drivers is a major campaign for the Association, an issue recently recognised in a Transport Select Committee report which quoted FTA evidence reflecting difficulties logistics operators face in recruiting drivers. The FTA Logistics Report 2016 shows that more than 64% of truck drivers are over 45 – the average age has steadily increased over the past 15 years – and problems with filling vacancies are high

The ECG Survey of Vehicle Logistics

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Version 6 of the ECG Operations Quality Manual for PCs and

LCVs is available online!

Written by the Quality Working Group and the H&H Working Group composed of OEMs and LSPs.

The manuals can be downloaded here.

For comments or inquiries please contact: info@ecgassociation.eu

on our members’ list of priorities. This has been compounded in recent years by the consequence of economic growth and the huge rise in e-commerce. Lack of funding for vocational training for drivers means fewer are joining the industry and there is a real risk that the shortage of HGV drivers could severely impact the economy.

REST OF THE WORLD

China-Russia trade corridor pilot shows readiness for future TIR roll-out (Source: IRU, 25th August 2016) The China-Russia pilot trade caravan has achieved its objective to successfully test the 2,200km overland trade route between China, Mongolia and Russia, ahead of the upcoming implementation of the TIR System in China. It completed its journey in Ulan-Ude, the capital of the Russian Federal Republic of Buryatia, where the caravan was warmly welcomed at a closing ceremony by the Deputy Transport Minister of the Buryat government and delegations from Russia, China and Mongolia. The pilot caravan was an important milestone in preparations for the implementation of TIR in China, which will facilitate trade between Asia and Europe. The world’s only universal customs transit system, TIR has been in operation in Russia for over 30 years and in Mongolia for more than 10 years. China’s recent ratification of the UN TIR Convention will significantly increase the potential volume of international trade in the region and provide new trade routes with access to the sea for Mongolia and other landlocked areas in Russia and Central Asia. The caravan, organised by the transport ministries of the three countries and supported by IRU, comprised of nine trucks travelling together over the so-called ancient tea route. A roundtable in Ulan-Ude at the end of the journey brought together over 80 participants from public authorities and business to evaluate the caravan and to plan ahead for future co-operation between the three countries. Increased collaboration and information exchange between China, Mongolia and Russia on customs, administration, transport and technical needs will help continue the necessary harmonisation in transport regulations and processes that IRU has long championed to improve mobility, trade and economic development. It was agreed at the roundtable that the trade route is already operational and adequate for future TIR transits. Some improvements in road infrastructure in certain areas were identified and would be improved. Launching a working group comprised of representatives from the three governments and possibly private sectors would help to further develop communities and economies along the route. Dmitry Cheltsov, who leads IRU’s work in Eurasia, highlighted during the roundtable that “IRU will work closely with the Chinese government to help make TIR operational there, supporting new efficient and faster transport routes between China, Russia and Europe.” Pengcheng Qu, who leads IRU’s work in China and South East Asia, said “TIR has been used for more than 60 years in many countries and has been proven to reduce transit time transport considerably. We look forward to seeing these benefits in China and its regional trade partners.”

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Events in Brussels

The European Mobility Week is organised by the European Commission on 16-22nd September

The European Logistics Platform organises an event on the trends in logistics in 2016, on 15th November

ECG always attends these events whenever possible. If a member is interested in any of

them, please contact ECG.

PRESS RELEASES

Höegh enters the cyber revolution with New Horizon vessels (Source: Höegh Autoliners, 31st August 2016) When Höegh Autoliners ordered the latest additions to our fleet, the New Horizon vessels, we were determined to make them the best in their field, from hull design to technical installations. Consequently, the information technology on board the New Horizon vessels is fully integrated and connected with the land organisation via satellite. This is the start of a new generation PCTCs. Information technology has changed the way we communicate and we are today used to being connected whenever and wherever we are. From smartphones to cars, the manufacturers promise us connectivity. Likewise, information and communications technology is revolutionising shipping, bringing with it a new era of ‘cyber-enabled’ ships. Jan Rune Mørken, Head of Newbuilding in Höegh Autoliners says: “One of the greatest features of the information technology we have applied on board the New Horizon vessels is that all systems on board are now connected and integrated. Our crew can control the majority of all technical installations on board by viewing only one data dashboard and we can connect with them at all times. This makes sailing safer and transportation more efficient.” “Shipping is at the beginning of the connectivity revolution” says Lloyd’s Lists Marine Marketing Director Luis Benito. Many factors pull in this direction, driven by the potential for better business results, an increased need to comply with environmental and safety legislation and the opportunities brought by an increased bandwidth availability. On-board the New Horizon vessels, the navigation, automation and propulsion controls are all integrated in to one system and a common technology platform. Their performance can be monitored live on workstations around the vessel and be shared over satellite with the ship operator’s office, with the system supplier and with the engine manufacturer for remote maintenance questions. “Already on older PCTCs there is a vast amount of data potentially available. The problem is not that we have too little data, but that it sits in several systems and can therefore not be used to its full potential” says Jan Rune Mørken. “In comparison, on-board the New Horizon vessels the data is integrated in to one system, making it much easier to read and combine in analysis and simulation work.” Morten Stanger, Vice President Merchant Marine at Kongsberg Maritime which supplies the integrated automation, navigation and information system on-board the New Horizon vessels says: “Höegh definitely shows they want to be in the front of the technological development in the maritime industry, by choosing a fully integrated and connected system from navigation to propulsion control.” With a fully integrated dashboard, the Captain and his crew can now have a greater situational awareness on the bridge, in the engine room and in other operational areas. The dashboard has a traffic light set-up and if a sensor that reports to the system recognises something wrong it will immediately alarm this with a yellow or red lamp on the screen. The crew can go in and read what the sensor has found and take immediate action. If they face a challenge they need help with solving, they can call an expert on this particular problem on the land side who immediately logs on to the system and shares the same screen. The technical expert can also

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Tel: +32-2-706-82-80, info@ecgassociation.eu; www.ecgassociation.eu

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follow the crew through camera transfer and give support during for example a repair. “This is a good support to our crew,” says Jan Rune. “Not only are they made aware from the system as soon as something is not performing as it should and can detect potential errors at an early stage, but they can also enjoy instant support of experts from all around the world.” With a vessel performance system implemented, the New Horizon vessels have a state-of-the-art system to support Höegh’s work to minimise fuel consumption. The system tracks fuel consumption throughout the journey, analyses historical data and compares it to current conditions, to advise the ship’s crew on ways of improving energy efficiency. “Minimising our environmental footprint is something we work continuously with in Höegh Autoliners and with increasingly stringent emission regulations in many waters, the need for a good emission control system is high. The engine diagnostic and emission monitoring system helps us make energy smart decisions based on a vast number of parameters analysed.” says Jan Rune Mørken. By telling the system the next destination and required ETA it calculates the optimal route based on weather conditions and the vessel’s historical data. Jan Rune Mørken says: “With the new systems we bring the sea and shore organisation closer together and we connect the past with the present and the future, securing the safest and most energy efficient operation.”

BMW Group Brazil celebrates first shipment to the US (Source: Wallenius Wilhelmsen Logistics, 30th August 2016) BMW Group Brazil recently celebrated the first shipment to the United States of its X1 model, manufactured in Brazil’s Araquari plant. The unprecedented export plan for the X1 model, which includes the distribution of 10,000 units to the North American market, kicked off at the Port of Paranaque with a ceremony featuring representatives from BMW and WWL. The initial shipment of 207 units was transported aboard WWL’s vessel MV Isolde.

“We started in April a new and significant chapter at BMW Group Brazil that reinforces our commitment to investment in the country,” Gleide Souza, the government relations officer of BMW Group Brazil, said at the vessel loading ceremony on 29th June. “Today we will take the first step to demonstrate that the

ECG Office

Mike Sturgeon Executive Director

T: +32 2 706 8282 Mike.sturgeon@ecgassociation.eu

Cliona Cunningham

External Relations Manager

T : +32 2 706 8285

cliona.cunningham@ecgassociation.eu

Oleh Shchuryk Research & Projects Manager

T: +32 2 706 8279 oleh.shchuryk@ecgassociation.eu Szilvi Kiss Research & Projects Manager

T: +32 2 706 8284 szilvi.kiss@ecgassociation.eu

Andreea Priftis Communications Officer

T: +32 2 706 8280 info@ecgassociation.eu

Federica Boddi ECG Survey Project Co-ordinator T: +32 2 706 82 86 temp@ecgassociation.eu

External:

Tom Antonissen EU Affairs Adviser tom.antonissen@ecgassociation.eu

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9

factory in Araquari maintains the quality and efficiency required for one of the world’s most demanding markets.” The June event featured Carsten Stoecker, President of Manufacturing Plant BMW Brazil, as he drove the first car in the shipment all the way onto the vessel ramp. Guests joined a vessel tour and ceremony to celebrate the occasion. Executives from BMW and WWL reinforced the importance of the worldwide partnership between the two companies when it comes to outbound logistics services – a partnership that has lasted for 60 years and has now been extended to Brazil. “In the spirit of the current Rio Olympics, WWL maintains a focus on competing as a gold medal supplier, each and every day,” said Rich Heintzelman, Head of Commercial for WWL Americas. BMW’s Stoecker emphasized his company’s high standards and Total Quality Control. “We count on WWL to meet the greatest level of performance and ensure that our vehicles are delivered to the US with 100% quality, as expected,” he said. The event also marked the last journey for MV Isolde, which has served WWL for 30 years.

Finnlines: The Arbitral Tribunal established the fair purchase price (Source: Grimaldi Group, 29th August 2016) The Arbitral Tribunal appointed by the Chamber of Commerce in Helsinki has set at €18.00 per share the fair redemption price for the shares of the Finnish company Finnlines Plc. The arbitral award was issued in conclusion of the process of redemption of the minority shares by the Grimaldi Group. The total number of shares of Finnlines, 100% owned by the Group Grimaldi, is 51,503,141, with a market capitalization of €927,056,538. On 25th August 2016 the Grimaldi Group released the news of the acquisition of last minority shares of its Finnish subsidiary Finnlines Plc, getting thus control of 100% of the company. On same date Finnlines was delisted from the Helsinki Stock Exchange. With one of the largest Ro-Ro and Ro-Pax fleets, Finnlines is the leading operator in the Ro-Ro and passenger transport in the Baltic and North Sea offering an extensive network of Motorways of the Sea between Belgium, Estonia, Finland, Germany, Spain, Sweden, The Netherlands, Poland, the United Kingdom and Russia. In synergy with the Grimaldi Group, the Finnish company’s services are connected to the whole Grimaldi network and to the US East Coast via Atlantic Container Line.

New website Frits Mehrtens Consultancy bv (Source: Frits Mehrtens Consultancy, 30th August 2016) Frits Mehrtens Consultancy bv has launched a new website. The site has been developed as there was a need for improvement in describing the services that Frits Mehrtens Consultancy bv are supplying. Frits Mehrtens: “I am now almost 5 years active with my own company. Based on our know-how we have developed in various directions during these 5 years. It was time to clearly display this and we are grateful to our clients that we are able to do so today.” Frits Mehrtens Consultancy bv is active in business development support, recruitment, strategy re-engineering, interim management and trade on China. “We do not only supply business development support to (finished vehicle) logistics companies but also to companies who wish to supply to logistics companies. A very good example is our client Musco – Ferrostaal GmbH whom we support in supplying sustainable large area lighting systems to terminal operators,” according to Frits Mehrtens. Frits Mehrtens: “With regard to recruitment the new website offers the possibility to upload job profiles as well as candidate profiles while safeguarding the clients’ and candidates’ anonymity. We invite both job and candidate searchers to regularly visit our website as well as to contact us should they wish to have their profiles on our website.”

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Frits Mehrtens Consultancy bv is a business strategy partner in PJ strategy, a group of partners with various business discipline backgrounds offering a different approach of strategy re-engineering based on modern organization improvement techniques in a very cost efficient way. This is done by:

1. Involvement of your management. 2. Extreme cost efficiency through management participation. 3. Anchoring strategic thinking in your organisation. We will not come back, YOU have become a

strategy specialist. Furthermore, Frits Mehrtens Consultancy bv accepts Interim Assignments in all know-how related fields of business. Frits Mehrtens: “We also support companies in trade development with China; those companies who are interested in exporting to China as well as in sourcing from China. We co-operate with a local partner based in the Pearl River Delta area (Hong Kong, Guangzhou Shenzhen) offering a large know-how and network in entire Mainland China as well as Hong Kong, Taiwan and Macau.”