We, the colleagues and friends of David in Wells Cargo are deeply saddened by his untimely death. We are very grateful to all the customers and suppliers who have shared thoughts and memories of David. He was held in high esteem by all who knew him.

If you met David 12 months ago you would have considered him the picture of health. He lived a very healthy life style. Non smoker, kept fit, exercised regularly. We were shocked last year when it was discovered that David had developed oesophageal cancer.

David took on the battle against his cancer displaying his usual positive upbeat attitude and for a long time we all believed that he was going to win, but it was not to be.

David started working in freight at a young age. First with Express Parcels in Bluebell and later with Quality Freight, Hamann, Geodis, Tunnel and finally with Wells Cargo.

He spent more then 20 years working within the freight industry. Over that time he developed very close friendships with colleagues and customers and suppliers. As everyone would attest he was hugely positive and always good humoured. Recessions didn't mean anything to him, he ignored the doom and gloom and focussed on what could be done. You would always feel better having spent time chatting with David.

He worked hard, lunch often was a sandwich eaten between emails and phone calls at his desk.  He enjoyed a challenge and would bring his experience and creativity into play to find a solution for a customer or to a problem.

Outside of work David enjoyed sports and in particular fishing, and soccer. He was also a fine golfer and a pleasure to go around a golf course with. We were starting to educate him about rugby but he was finding the offside rule a bit hard to understand.

Above all David was a family man. His family were always his number one priority. Our heartfelt sympathies are with Lisa, Amy and David junior and his brothers, sisters and mother. Hopefully overtime the happy memories of time together will help to soften the pain of the loss that they currently endure.

Cardinal Newmans prayer comes to mind when I think of David's passing, I think it reflects that energy that he brought to bear on daily tasks.

"May He support us, all the day long, till the shadows lengthen and the evening comes, and the busy world is hushed and the fever of life is over, and our work is done. Then in His mercy may He give us a safe lodging, and a holy rest and peace at the last."

David Howell passed away on July the 5th at home, in the care of his family...

 Ar dheis De go raibh a anam.

In spring 2015, Swiss Post, Swiss WorldCargo (the air freight division of Swiss International Air Lines) and Matternet (a logistics drone manufacturer based in California) joined forces to test the practical use of drones in logistics. The possible areas of application offered by drone technology are said to be very diverse, ranging from delivery to peripheral areas to the express delivery of goods. The focus is primarily on their use in exceptional cases or the transport of special items. Although the widespread use of drones is not expected within the next five years, there are various requirements which need to be clarified. This includes the regulatory framework and in addition, there are technical restrictions with the drones of today, such as limited battery life.

Use in emergency situations conceivable

With these tests, the partners are pursuing the aim of playing a leading role in this significant development and pinpointing the technical possibilities and their own needs at an early stage. From today's point of view, the use of drones in emergency situations is conceivable. This could, for example, involve bringing supplies to an area that has been cut off from the outside world following a storm. Another realistic possibility is the urgent transport of consignments with the highest priority, such as laboratory tests. Which specific uses will prevail depends on how quickly the regulatory requirements are clarified and technical obstacles dismantled. 

Drone model to be initially used

The business partners will test several Matternet ONE vehicles. The flying device is specially designed for transporting small deliveries and it is simple to operate. The drone has an extremely light construction and is capable of transporting loads of up to 1 kilogram over more than 10 kilometres with a single battery charge. Matternet ONE flies autonomously, following clearly defined, secure flight paths, which are drawn up by cloud software developed by Matternet.

Enrollment for the 8th year of the IIFA FIATA Diploma in Freight Forwarding course is now open and the first class will commence on Tuesday 1st September 2015.

136 participants have gained the FIATA Diploma thorough study with the IIFA since its initial course in 2008. 28 participants recently sat their final examination as part of the 2014 - 2015 class group on 30th June 2015 and a graduation ceremony for this group will be held toward the end of August 2015. A list of graduates is available on the IIFA website via http://iifa.ie/diploma-graduates.html

This course has received positive reviews from participants across the years and has also received recognition from the Charted Institute of Logistics & Transport as the IIFA FIATA Diploma was a finalist for both the 2014 and 2015 Education Award as part of the annual Irish Logistics & Transport Awards.

An introduction evening for the next class intake will be held on the evening of Tuesday 1st September 2015 where participants can meet each other and the course leaders. All other activities are carried out online until the final examination at the end of June 2015.

Recent successful graduates of the FIATA Diploma course contributed the following testimonials on their experience of completing the course and the course itself;

"In today's hectic society of trying to juggle work commitments and home life, I found achieving a diploma in Freight Forwarding by blended learning in 10 months very appealing.  In my role as a sales representative - I feel more confident in talking with customers about all aspects of their freight requirements as I now have the knowledge and understanding behind whatever mode of transport they are using.  I would recommend this course to anyone in the Freight Forwarding Industry."

"After completing this course I can explain with complete confidence issues such as sea freight requirements, limits of liability/SDR's or marine insurance etc... I will also be keeping each module here in my office as they will always be a good reference point in the future for any information I need in regards to freight forwarding."

Prospective participants for this course should contact the IIFA office via telephone on 01-845-5411 or e-mail to iifa@eircom.net if they wish to enroll or simply make general enquiries.

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Timocom transport barometer:

Freight surplus in the second quarter

Biggest freight share on transport market since 2012

TimoCom's transport barometer finally booming in the 2nd quarter of 2015. An impressive freight to vehicle ratio of 54:46 confirms the figures from this year's first quarter. There are various reasons for this positive development.

Already in April the first steps were taken towards a freight-intensive 2nd quarter. In this first month the freight share on the European transport market increased by almost 13%, compared to the previous month, to 53%. This increase was to be expected due to the Easter holidays in many European countries and concomitant four day work weeks. However, the extent of this increase is remarkable, as is the development of TimoCom's transport barometer afterwards.

Railroad strikes fill order books

When it came to freight, May brought further increases. The freight to vehicle ratio of 59:41 for TimoCom's transport barometer was significantly higher than in the previous year (48:52). A total increase of 10.6% in transport jobs delighted vehicle space providers. Due to its numerous holidays, (overly) full order books are almost guaranteed all over Europe in the merry month of May. This year, however, TimoCom Chief Representative Marcel Frings offers an additional possible explanation for this massive increase, "In May, Germany faced two major railroad strikes in a short period of time. This meant that required railway capacities were closed and that lorries had to help out. Regarding transport within Germany TimoCom's transport barometer showed a freight to vehicle ratio of 85:15 for days at a time. Transport service providers all over Europe, who came to Germany to cover demand, benefited from the railroad strike."

In June the situation normalised. Just like in the previous four years, the figures evened out to a balanced level during the last month of the quarter.  TimoCom's transport barometer started into the summer with a freight to vehicle ratio of 50:50.

For the next quarter Marcel Frings does not expect any major surprises, "For July, August and September we think the figures will be very similar to the previous years. There will be a slight decrease in the freight share on the transport market early in the 3rd quarter. It will reach its lowest point in August, with a minimum freight share of 45%. Then, in September, business will be on the rise again and there will be a freight surplus on the market."

Find more information on TimoCom and the transport barometer at www.timocom.ie

The above article was sent in by Maria Toft Madsen of IIFA Affiliate Member TimoCom Soft- und Hardware GmbH.

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DFDS Seaways and Forth Ports to invest €6 million in Rosyth-Zeebrugge freight route

DFDS Seaways and Forth Ports will invest over EUR 6 million in the future of the Rosyth-Zeebrugge freight route, following a meeting with the First Minister of Scotland to discuss the investment plan. This includes new environmental technology, a fuel optimisation programme and infrastructure adjustments at the terminal in Scotland.

A new environmental technology 
The investment plan by DFDS includes the investment in a technology that removes sulphur from the exhaust gases - the so-called scrubber technology - and a fuel optimisation programme on FINLANDIA SEAWAYS, the DFDS vessel operating on the route. This investment will help to secure the long-term sustainability of the route and the scrubber will be installed during the vessel's next dry-dock period by the end of this year.

Infrastructure adjustments
In addition, Forth Ports will carry out the necessary infrastructure adjustments to the Port of Rosyth to facilitate the double-stacking of containers on board the vessel. This will increase the freight capacity of the vessel by an extra 300 lane metres, as demanded by our Scottish and Continental customers. "The route is an important economic generator for Scotland, servicing the general, chemicals, food & drinks and automotive sectors. The Infrastructural adjustments are about EUR 1 million and we expect this work to be completed in autumn this year," says Charles Hammond, CEO of Forth Ports. 

Stein van Est, Route Director DFDS Seaways commented "We are very pleased with the investment programme as it will secure a long-term perspective for the Rosyth-Zeebrugge route and enable companies to continue to use a direct, environmentally friendly means of transport between Scotland and the Continent," says

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon added: "The Rosyth to Zeebrugge freight route is a vital link for Scotland's economy and hugely important for the large number of customers who use it to get their goods in and out of the country. It is therefore extremely welcome news that DFDS is to continue to operate this service. The investment in port improvements by Forth Ports is also a vital component of increasing the capacity and efficiency of the service."