TCE is the first and only company in the industry to offer airlines and GSAs acomprehensive portfolio of independent outsourcing and supervision services relating to all areas of operational air cargo safety, security, and quality. It looks back on six highly successful years of delivering ‘Total Cargo Expertise’ to the aircargo market.
Increasing demands for security, compliance, and efficiency in the air cargo industry led to the founding of TCE, six years ago. The idea was to enable the outsourcing of all operational, compliance, and security aspects to an expert air cargo team, so that airlines and GSAs could continue to focus fully on their core business in a rapidly changing environment.
“TCE was designed to eliminate major obstacles in air cargo management,” says Sarah Scheibe, Managing Director of TCE. “Increasing cargo volumes make managing flows more complex. Add to this the risk of cargo security incidents through certain commodities, mishandling or theft and damage, and constantly evolving customs regulations, and airlines are often faced with a lack of internal resources and expertise to cope with these challenges. With TCE, we seek to solve these problems, taking away the risk of cargo or customs non-compliance, ensuring proper handling of sensitive cargo, and minimising errors and delays through careful handling and loading supervision.”
TCE has since established itself as a highly competent service partner catering to airlines, GSSAs, and logistics and air freight companies, and delivering professionalsolutions in the areas of quality, safety, and security. Located at Frankfurt/Main Airport, one of the world’s key cargo hubs, its team of fully certified ground control experts provides 24/7/365 support for a comprehensive portfolio of operational air cargoprocesses. These include supplier or handling management, customs reporting (ICS/ACE/AMS, etc.), security filing (PLACI/ACAS/ICS2), regulatory compliance, audits, risk assessments and quality assurance, training and certification support, sensitive cargo management, load plan creation and loading compliance, contract management, claim management, and cargo charter coordination, to name but a few. Certain functions, such as operational supervision, are offered both on-site at hub stations, and remotely. TCE ensures full security and regulatory compliance in all its services.
A steadily growing number of airlines, GSAs and air cargo logistics providers have placed their trust in TCE over the past six years. Today, the dedicated team of experts annually carries out more than 80 supplier and process audits and supervises around 225 cargo aircraft on site. On the customs side, it annually processes over 105,000 AWBs to 27 countries across 5 continents, with France, United States, Netherlands, Germany, and Canada heading the top of the list. In addition, TCE declares 4,000+ flights each year, and supervises around 86,000 AWBs and an annual average of 160,000 tons of cargo being moved through its 230+ contracted and audited handling agents at more than 230 airports around the globe. Over the years, shipments entrusted to TCE have flown to over 380 different destinations, of which the top 5 cargo airports are Frankfurt (FRA), Punta Cana (PUJ), Amsterdam (AMS), Bogota (BOG), and Cancun (CUN).
“TCE is a completely neutral and independent business partner that can be relied upon to deliver professional air cargo support for a wide portfolio of services,” Sarah Scheibe, Managing Director of TCE, explains. “As an example of our scope: in just the past three years, aside from general cargo, TCE has also been responsible for the safe and stress-free transport for over 6,200 animals, more than 850 tons of pharmaceuticals, and 82,000 tons of flowers and other perishables. We are the only company in the air cargo industry to provide fully outsourced services on both operational tasks and supervision, resulting in smoother and more efficient cargooperations. And we are continuously improving to become even more dynamic, innovative, and customer centric. After all, every service quality enhancement translates into lower costs, greater efficiency and allows our airline and GSA clients even more time for their core business.”
The post Professional air cargo support has a name: TCE appeared first on Air Cargo Week.
A sailor from the carrier USS Nimitz has gone missing in Guam, and his ship has sailed without him, according to the Navy.
Sailor Gabriel D. Holt was off base when he was last seen late on April 18, the same day as Nimitz’s arrival in Guam. At around midnight, he was spotted in the Tumon district, in between Hotel Nikko and Gun Beach – about 10 miles northeast of the base at Apra Harbor. He was reported missing on April 19. The search for Holt is still active, and the local police are looking for public tips.
“At this time, all available agencies are actively engaged in efforts to locate the missing sailor,” Nimitz spokesman Lt. Cmdr. Tim Pietrack told Navy Times. “The search is ongoing, and we are committed to fully cooperating with local authorities while search and rescue efforts continue.”
On April 21, USS Nimitz sailed from Guam to resume her deployment in the Western Pacific. She is accompanied by the destroyers USS Gridley and USS Lenah Sutcliffe Higbee; the Zumwalt-class destroyer USS Michael Monsoor also deployed as part of the carrier strike group, and called at Guam on April 17.
USS Nimitz is 50 years old this year and is on her final deployment before decommissioning. She is expected to end her service in April 2026 and begin the long process of nuclear vessel deactivation.
Nimitz commissioned in 1975, and was the first of a successful class of supercarriers that have defined naval power projection ever since. Her itinerary on this voyage is not disclosed, but USNI reports that she could transit to the Mideast; sister ships USS Carl Vinson and USS Harry S. Truman are already in the region and involved in high-intensity operations against targets in Yemen, and Truman is due for relief.
ABS Chairman and CEO Christopher J. Wiernicki announced at the 163rd ABS Annual Members Meeting that he will step down as Chairman and CEO and retire at the end of 2025. He has led the class organization for the past 14 years during a turbulent and transitional period in the maritime industry emerging as a key voice on decarbonization and a recognized influencer in the shipping industry.
Wiernicki, who holds a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering, was ranked by Lloyd’s List in December 2024 as number 68 on its listing of the Top 100 People in Shipping. He is a recognized industry thought leader in the areas of decarbonization and sustainability, digitalization and advanced technology, marine safety management and human factors, naval architecture, marine engineering, alternative fuels, carbon economics, and environmental, social and governance (ESG).
Last month he had addressed the uncertainty about the IMO’s carbon levy warning that it was holding back investments in shipping. He said the industry was balancing short-term efficiency measures with long-term fuel readiness while looking for greater certainty for the future.
Taking the helm of ABS in 2013 was the culmination of a now 35-year career with extensive commercial, government, and international experience in marine and offshore design, operations, infrastructure and safety management, ports and bunkering, digitalization, cybersecurity, and clean energy transition. He joined the company in 1993 as Vice President of Engineering within the ABS Americas Division.
“We have faced many challenges during my tenure, including the pandemic, the marine and offshore industry downturn and unprecedented, and disruptive technology and regulatory driven change,” Wiernicki said today addressing the membership. “In spite of these events, we were able to move forward with a number of strategic investments that have allowed us to become an industry recognized technology and safety leader.”
He leaves ABS at a time when they said the group has never been stronger, with substantial growth and industry-leading safety performance. ABS told members during the annual meeting that its fleet grew to 300 million gross tons in 2024. It said it maintained the number one position among class organizations in global new order share (22 percent) and is a leader with both shipbuilders and shipowners. It reported that it also maintained its leadership position in the global offshore market and expanded its support for governments while continuing to be in the forefront in digital and sustainability services.
The retirement, ABS emphasized is the culmination of a well-planned succession process.
The leadership of ABS, upon election by the Board of Directors, is expected to pass to the current ABS President and Chief Operating Officer John McDonald. The plan calls for him to become Chairman and CEO from January 1, 2026.
McDonald is currently responsible for the day-to-day operations of the organization globally. Previously, he served as Senior Vice President, Global Business Development and Global Marine market sector for ABS. He has risen from the position in 2010 and 2011 of Division President Europe to become COO in July 2021.
McDonald has a bachelor’s degree in marine engineering from Maine Maritime Academy and holds an MBA from Texas A&M University.
[By: Inmarsat Maritime]
Inmarsat Maritime, a Viasat company, has signed an agreement with Sallaum Lines, a leading Roll-on/Roll-off (RoRo) cargo shipping company, to upgrade to Inmarsat Maritime’s NexusWave fully managed bonded connectivity service, making it an early adopter in region. As Sallaum Lines expands its global presence, NexusWave will provide secure, ultra-fast connectivity with unlimited data, complemented by Inmarsat’s Care Premium programme for 24/7 support and maintenance.
Reflecting a proactive digitalisation strategy, Sallaum Lines is adopting modern technologies such as IoT sensors and collaborative tools to enhance decision-making and operational efficiency across its fleet. Inmarsat’s NexusWave will deliver the reliability, high speeds, and low latency that Sallaum increasingly relies on to facilitate data collection, analysis, and advanced monitoring across its 14-vessel RoRo fleet, including six newbuilds.
Sallaum Lines is committed to creating a healthy and happy working environment on board its vessels by ensuring crew members can stay connected with their families and friends during rest and off-duty hours. The company places high value on education and development and plans to deploy a fleetwide learning and skills development platform. Thanks to the unlimited, high-speed connectivity provided by NexusWave through network bonding, Sallaum’s crew will have access to communication services and educational tools virtually anywhere in the world – even in connectivity hotspots.
Mr. Puneet Arora, Head of Technical, Sallaum Lines, commented: “NexusWave will provide us with fast and reliable connectivity without the worry of outages, latency, or interruptions. This new partnership will also enable us to enhance our remote infrastructure and expand our onboard portfolio with solutions that meet both operational needs and crew welfare requirements. We are proud to be an early adopter of NexusWave.”
Dennis Winterswijk, Regional Director, EMEA, Inmarsat Maritime, said: “Deep understanding of Inmarsat Maritime’s capabilities, and trust in our reliability, were key factors in Sallaum Lines’ decision to select NexusWave. Its decision to adopt NexusWave highlights the company’s commitment to enhancing operational efficiency and reliability, as well as its position as a forward-thinking, technology-driven company.”
On Tuesday, a gas leak on a barge on the Houston Ship Channel prompted community alerts on the key energy-infrastructure corridor, but local officials say that no air quality threats have been detected and residents have the all-clear.
Operator Kirby Inland Marine told local media that a vapor release occurred aboard a barge at the Targa Resources dock in Galena, Texas. A valve leak released an unspecified quantity of butadiene, a common industrial gas used for making plastics and synthetic rubber (like car tires). 1,3-butadiene is an EPA-listed carcinogen, an inhalation irritant, and highly flammable. Luckily, it breaks down quickly in the atmosphere, limiting the time in which it can have an effect.
The leak occurred because of a broken valve, according to local CW39 Houston. It was contained by late Tuesday, and the barge was towed to a safe location for further evaluation. The Houston Ship Channel has reopened to full service, and the City of Galena Park says that there are no air quality threats to the public.
No injuries were reported from the gas leak.
[By: Tilla Technologies]
Tilla Technologies today announces that Wilson, one of Europe’s largest short sea shipping companies, will use its software to manage all crew changes across 101 vessels in its fleet. The rollout is planned for May 2025.
The decision was based on the successful use of Tilla Technologies’ solution at Stödig Ship Management, which handles crew for parts of Wilson’s fleet. The crew change platform delivered strong, consistent results: double-digit cost savings, increased productivity, and high user satisfaction. Based on this, Wilson opted to adopt Tilla Technologies.
Wilson operates one of the largest short sea fleets in Europe and plays a key role in the region’s industrial logistics. The company transports around 13 million tonnes of dry cargo annually and conducts over 10,000 port calls per year. Its fleet consists mainly of mini bulkers ranging from 1,500 to 8,500 DWT. With vessels calling at both major hubs and smaller ports across Europe, transparent, efficient, and flexible crew change management is essential to ensure smooth operations.
More transparency and less manual work for crewing teams
With Tilla Technologies, Wilson expects to significantly reduce crewing costs by optimizing travel planning and gaining clearer oversight of third-party service providers. The platform automates manual processes and gives crewing teams full visibility into schedules, bookings, and costs. Crew operators can save up to one hour per day, allowing them to focus on more critical tasks.
“We expect Tilla to simplify operations, reduce costs, and give our teams more time to focus on what really matters,” says Bjørn Thore Seljelid, Head of Crewing at Wilson. “The ability to plan and manage crew changes in one system, with real-time data and complete transparency, is a key step in our digitisation efforts.”
A scalable solution for one of Europe’s largest short sea fleets
“Wilson is a forward-thinking company with very high standards for efficiency and reliability,” says Niklas Weidmann, Co-Founder and Managing Director of Tilla Technologies. “They recognized early on that crewing decisions have a major impact on performance. We are looking forward to supporting their teams with automation, better data, and tools that simplify daily operations.”
Automating the full crew change process
Tilla’s software connects all relevant data sources – vessel schedules, crew databases, port agents, real-time flight data, and more – and automates the entire crew change workflow: from planning and booking to documentation, cost control, and invoicing. The platform integrates with existing crew management systems and works with over 15 travel agencies globally. Designed for scalability, it helps companies reduce manual work, improve transparency, and make better decisions over time.
[By: Akzo Nobel N.V.]
Akzo Nobel N.V. (AKZA; AKZOY) publishes results for Q1 2025:
Highlights Q1 2025 (compared with Q1 2024)
AkzoNobel CEO Greg Poux-Guillaume commented: “We delivered a better-than-expected quarter with positive pricing and strong cost reduction. Our efficiency measures are paying off, allowing us to compensate for softer markets and persistent inflation. And there’s more to come as we continue to streamline our model, organization and footprint.
“While macro-economic volatility has been fueled by US tariffs, our local-for-local and procurement de-risking strategic principles continue to largely shield us from direct impacts on our cost base or our ability to deliver. However, we expect to be indirectly impacted by more timid customer demand as economic growth slows during this period of reassessment for global trade. All the more reason to remain focused on our self-help measures to achieve our full-year outlook and build a stronger AkzoNobel.”
AkzoNobel in € millions | Q1 2024 | Q1 2025 | Δ% | Δ% organic |
Revenue | 2,640 | 2,613 | (1%) | -% |
Operating income | 261 | 192 | ||
Adjusted EBITDA | 363 | 357 | (2%) | |
Adjusted EBITDA margin | 13.8% | 13.7% |
Outlook
Subject to ongoing market uncertainties and assuming constant currencies, AkzoNobel expects to deliver 2025 adjusted EBITDA above €1.55 billion.
For the mid-term, AkzoNobel aims to expand profitability to deliver an adjusted EBITDA margin of above 16% and a return on investment between 16% and 19%, underpinned by organic growth and industrial excellence.
The company targets leverage below 2.5 times net debt/adjusted EBITDA by the end of 2025 and around 2 times in the mid-term, while remaining committed to retaining a strong investment grade credit rating.
[By: VIKING Life-Saving Equipment]
VIKING Life-Saving Equipment has launched the first Crew Transfer Vessel (CTV) immersion suit in the world designed for women working in offshore wind energy, using guidance on diversity and inclusivity from industry leaders Ørsted, Siemens and Vestas.
The VIKING YouSafe™ Cyclone suit joins a growing portfolio of VIKING PPE whose fit and features reflect the safety needs of female seafarers, pilots and technicians in the marine and offshore industries.
The most recent UK Government Industrial Strategy Offshore Wind Sector Deal study included a “minimum target” for one third of the industry’s workforce to be by 2030 (2018 – 16%). In UK waters, and elsewhere, getting the right PPE in place to best serve the safety needs of women offshore has become a focus for equity and inclusivity strategy at Ørsted, Siemens and Vestas.
“As a young industry, offshore wind offers a huge opportunity to change attitudes in the workplace, and to encourage the diversity, equity and inclusion women are entitled to expect,” said Lasse Hansen, Senior HSE Manager, PPE and TMSE, Ørsted. “Ørsted has identified female-specific PPE as part of the critical infrastructure we need for women to work safely offshore today and a necessity to attract more of them into this industry. We were delighted to work with VIKING as one of our key safety solution providers to take a significant step in the right direction.”
Delivered in high-vis GORE-TEX® NARVIK™, the female-fit YouSafe™ Cyclone suit is approved to the same dual SOLAS/MED and CE/ISO standard as the male version and is available in multiple sizes. Common features include compatibility with all standard offshore harnesses, durable Neoprene cuffs and neck seal, retro-reflective piping for increased visibility in dark surroundings, and a maintenance free zipper.
However, ratios and cut are redesigned for shorter torsos, and different hip and chest proportions, and for a range of smaller sizes that avoid the risk of snagging in fixtures and fittings. The sleek looking design also offers a high level of comfort and enhances the safety of women when stepping or jumping to/off the platform, climbing the tower or moving around the nacelle. In addition, the suit includes integral braces, which hold suit pants for free leg movement when climbing and allow the wearer to doff its top part to move around freely.
Poul Parning, Senior EQS PPE Specialist, Siemens Gamesa said the Cyclone suit was a welcome contribution to its efforts to attract more women to offshore wind, ensuring that outdated practices did not frustrate career progress. “There has been an intense focus on PPE as a diversity, equity and inclusion issue at Siemens Gamesa for the last two years; we have already adopted a new safety harness for women. The Cyclone CTV suit supports corporate goals.”
Speaking for Vestas Wind Systems, HSE Manager Peter Armstrong-Cribb added: “At Vestas, we believe that diversity and inclusion go hand in hand with innovation, and that everyone must feel safe, valued, and that their voice is heard. The right PPE puts these beliefs into practice.”
VIKING built on its internal design work by interviewing women working offshore in the wind industry to develop the new suit, before trialing prototypes at a test day with Ørsted, Siemens and Vestas in Liverpool, UK earlier this year. After further tests offshore and customer feedback, the YouSafe™ Cyclone was launched in October.
“Bringing Cyclone to market has been a joy because we have worked with customers whose competitive position did not stand in the way of our common goal to deliver a safety necessity and level the playing field for women working offshore” said Bettina Kjærgaard, Global Sales Manager Offshore Wind, VIKING Life-Saving Equipment. “Their response in spreading the word has also been phenomenal.”
In a surprise development, the Port of Antwerp-Bruges surpassed the Port of Rotterdam for container volume during the first quarter of 2025. Traditionally Europe’s second busiest port, Antwerp-Burges highlighted its market share in the Hamburg-Le Havre Range increased to 30.5 percent, and on a global level, the port climbed one position to reach 14 in the ranking of largest ports, but like all its peers, the port is anticipating a tough period in the coming months related to the unrelenting tariff policy of Donald Trump.
Antwerp-Bruges released its first quarter throughput performance highlighting the strength of its container business while reporting an overall decline largely driven by a sharp decrease in bulk volumes. Container throughput however was up 4.6 percent in tonnage and 4.5 percent in TEUs. The ports handled 3,436,000 TEUs. By comparison, the Port of Rotterdam which has long dominated in Europe reported a 2.2 percent increase in TEUs to 3,364,000.
The Belgian port said the growth came amidst the transition to the new alliances among liner companies, industrial actions including a paralyzing port strike, and congestion at other ports, which also contributed to longer container dwell times for Antwerp-Bruges. Rotterdam said its tonnage decreased due to an eight percent decline in loaded exports, a decline in the number of transshipment containers, bad weather in January, and an operational dispute at one of its terminals which resulted in fewer ship visits, delays, and lower productivity.
During the quarter, Antwerp-Bruges handled 67.7 million tonnes of cargo, reporting a four percent overall decline, citing the weak performance in the bulk categories. Liquid cargo recorded the sharpest decline, falling by 19.1 percent impacted by gasoline, naphtha, and LNG. The segment is not only feeling the impact of sanctions against Russia and the struggling European petrochemical sector but has also been hit by changing market conditions in Africa. Belgium’s ban on high-sulfur and benzene fuels exports to Africa is having material negative effects on shipments.
Rotterdam also reported an overall 5.8 percent decline in first quarter throughput. It said the decline was also mostly due to less throughput of crude oil and oil products, iron ore, and coal.
“We are in particularly uncertain times, which makes it difficult to predict what 2025 will bring next. But as in previous crises, our port is showing resilience and operational reliability,” said Jacques Vandermeiren, Port of Antwerp-Bruges CEO. “At the same time, the protectionist measures taken by the United States make it clear that Europe needs to make a stronger commitment to robust economic policies in order to strengthen our industry and anchor its strategic position.”
Historically, the United States has been the second-largest global trading partner of Port of Antwerp-Bruges for over two decades. In 2024, the maritime trade volume accounted for approximately 10 percent of the port’s overall cargo traffic. Of this, 11 million tonnes were exported to the U.S., with the port handling over 200,000 cars bound for the U.S. as well as auto and machinery parts (mostly from Germany), chemicals, vehicles, food, plastics, and pharmaceuticals.
Executives at the Port of Rotterdam expressed similar concerns. They noted that import duties imposed by the United States on goods exported from Europe had yet to have an effect on first-quarter throughput but were creating uncertainty.
“The first three months of this year were characterized by a high degree of volatility in world trade as a result of threatened import duties in the United States and conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East,” said Boudewijn Siemons, CEO of Port of Rotterdam Authority. “This volatility has led to uncertainty among companies in the areas of trade and investment. We see this reflected in throughput volumes and the willingness to invest. In these uncertain times, it remains as important as ever that, together with national and European governments, the Port of Rotterdam continues to work towards a competitive European investment climate.”
[By: Tideworks Technology® Inc.]
As AI and automation continue to dominate industry and IT conversations, new survey findings from Tideworks Technology® Inc. (Tideworks), a full-service provider of intermodal and marine terminal operating system (TOS) solutions, and Port Technology International (PTI) reveal a significant disconnect between the industry’s appetite for innovation and the foundational technology currently in place at many terminals.
To assess the current state of technology adoption, Tideworks and PTI, using User Evidence, surveyed intermodal operators across North America, Europe, Asia and Latin America. Respondents represented a wide range of terminal sizes and operating models. 107 Respondents represented a broad range of intermodal rail terminals, including newly constructed terminals, single-site operations and networks of intermodal terminals.
The findings reveal a gap between strategic priorities and actual adoption, reflecting persistent operational, infrastructure and integration challenges. According to the data, while 73% of terminals with a network of 11 or more view AI, automation and digital transformation as critical to future competitiveness, only 36% are currently using AI to collect and analyze operational data.
The survey revealed operational pain points that are directly obstructing the systems, processes and mindset shifts required for digital transformation. Capacity and yard utilization were ranked as the number one operational challenge across 63% of intermodal terminal respondents with real-time visibility, data accuracy and limited analytics expertise also cited as major barriers to progress. Notably, 60% of intermodal terminal respondents cited integration challenges with external partners and customers as their top data management pain point, underscoring the critical role of seamless connectivity in managing and leveraging data effectively. Together, these issues point to a demand for foundational systems that address today’s operational pressures and better support real-time visibility, smooth integration and smarter capacity management across terminal networks.
“The appetite for AI and automation is growing, but readiness is the real hurdle,” said Chad Van Derrick, vice president of software product management at Tideworks. “To unlock the value of these technologies, terminals need to invest in the basics: a modern data platform, clear governance and optimization tools that turn information into action. That’s what creates smarter, more resilient operations.”
The survey uncovered insights that highlight progress, challenges and opportunities in technology adoption. Other findings from the PTI/Tideworks Emerging Tech Survey include:
View full survey insights here: Tideworks Emerging Tech Trends in Intermodal Operations.
