Monday, 30 September 2013
Commodities hauled by KTMB
Good morning
everyone, it is a rainy Monday :) how are you today? Lets on the mood to read
the blog :) Enjoy it :)
What is
KTMB? Keretapi Tanah Melayu Berhad (KTMB) or Malayan Railways Limited is the
main rail operator in Peninsular Malaysia. It has two types of commodities
hauled by them.
1.
CONTAINERIZE CARGO SERVICES
KTMB Berhad
has made large investment in the acquisition for wagons, at the present, KTMB
have the capacity to carry a total of 3500 TEUs of cargo at a time. KTM Berhad
carries only ISO standard containers, but the arrangements can be made to carry
high cube containers as well.
KTMB Berhad
has also established connections with other container terminals by having rail
links to their de pots.
The terminals include:
a) Prai ( Multimodal freight)
b) Ipoh ( Ipoh Container Terminal/
Dry Port )
c) Setia Jaya (Sungai Way)
(Container National Inland Container Depot)
d) Segamat ( Segamat Inland Port)
e) Pasir Gudang Container Yard
f) Singa pore
( to PSA through independent Road Haulier )
2. KTM CARGO
RAIL MOVEMENT ON CEMENT
KTM Cargo
currently moves almost 6,000 metrics tonnes of cement per day for the 4 major cement companies in
Perlis and Perak to cater for the Klang Valley market needs. Cement is normally
transported using Cement Bulk Carriers to Cima Kuang Siding, TCB Sg Buluh
Siding and Lafarge Pdg. Jawa Siding.
KTM Cargo provide
excellent heavy long haulage of cement cargo that are safe and reliable with a
rail network connection to respective customers. It is a cost effective way to
move large or bulk cement by rail and it supports the green environment.
KTMB Cargo
has initiated the operations of ISO Container Tanks. They hope can provide an
efficient Intermodal Rail - Road door to door services for the customer.
Below is the
image of some wagon example :
Boxcar
Covered hopper
Flatcar
Wednesday, 25 September 2013
ROAD TRANSPORTATION : MINIMIZING THE RISK OF DAMAGE, LOSS AND CLAIMS
Hello,
mate. Welcome back on part 3 of road transportation discussion. Do you guys
still remember our previous discussion about the risk in road transportation?
Well, we were discussing about the road accident and the reason why it happen.
When an accident occur, the product will be damage. Unfortunately, in some cases, the product was not damage but
somehow we loss it. So, for this part we will be discussed about how we or any
parties involved in logistics activity want to minimize the risk of damage, loss
and claims.
As we know, the damages and loss
will increase the overall transportation cost. So first of all, we need to
check the packaging. Shipments
should be in a container that is suitable for its contents. Never exceed the
container's maximum gross weight, which is identified in the Box Maker's
Certificate printed on the bottom flap of the box.
Containers or boxes should be large enough to allow
room for adequate cushioning material on all sides of the contents. They should
be in good, rigid condition with no punctures, tears, rips, or corner damage.
All flaps should be intact.
Each item within the container should be wrapped
separately. Fragile articles need both proper separation from each other and
clearance from the corners and sides of the box. Glass items must not touch
other glass items. Proper cushioning material, combined with a strong outer
container, will protect the shipment.
Proper closure and banding of the container is as
important as adequate cushioning. Boxes should be closed securely with strong
tape—such as pressure-sensitive plastic, water-activated paper tape or
water-activated reinforced tape—two inches or more in width. Never use masking
tape, cellophane tape, string or paper over wrap.
Second is, we must check the shipment labelling. To ensure an appropriate delivery , the freights or goods need to be labelled according to the goods own information means it must have to do appropriately. So how to do the labelling process appropriately? Let's follow these guidelines.
Second is, we must check the shipment labelling. To ensure an appropriate delivery , the freights or goods need to be labelled according to the goods own information means it must have to do appropriately. So how to do the labelling process appropriately? Let's follow these guidelines.
Last but not least is on the
inbound or receiving side. Change of
custody is a critical moment in the logistics process, and is perhaps the
single most important consideration when your freight arrives. It is imperative
that you have qualified and trained employees to thoroughly inspect the
freight.
Each shipment must be compared to the air bill or
truck bill. Is the correct number of boxes accounted for? Are the boxes
damaged? If the bands are broken or if boxes are open, are all the contents
accounted for? Most importantly, are these inspections being done thoroughly
prior to signing for the shipment?
The next critical element is making sure that all
the freight is moved and stored properly. If unpacked, adhere to the special
cargo handling labels, as well as to proper stacking and palletizing
procedures.
The best way to ensure that you are taking all
measures to prevent loss and damage on your end is to select qualified
individuals to manage the process. You also need to provide clear direction
through training manuals and reference guides.
Actually, there are many ways to reduce the loss
and damage, but what just I wrote now is
only for the sharing process. Maybe you can give and provide any other ways and
ideas. Ok, let's end this road transportation discussion and stay tuned for
more from us, mate.
Monday, 23 September 2013
4 factors for considering air freight vs. ocean freight
In life and business, there are always choices to make. When
it comes to international shipping, there are many choices. Of all these
choices, the most basic is the decision of what kind of transport to use: air
freight or ocean freight. Whether you’re a business that will be shipping
overseas all the time or an individual moving to a new country, deciding
whether to go with ocean freight or air freight is an important choice. There
are four key factors you should consider when making this decision.
1. Cost
You probably don’t have to be told to consider the costs
before an undertaking. As a business person, you consider the bottom line and
as an individual, you have a budget. Naturally, you’re going to want to know
which will cost you less, air freight or ocean freight. Typically, you will
hear that shipping by ocean is cheaper than shipping by air. And typically,
this is true; however, this is not necessarily Cargo Jet Plane the case.
To make the best decision, it helps to be educated about how
carriers charge for international shipping. Airlines bill you by what is called
a chargeable weight. Chargeable weight is calculated from a combination of the
weight and size of a shipment. Sea carriers charge per container rates for
shipping in standard containers (20’ and 40’ being the most common sizes).
While weight can factor into the price from sea carriers, their charge tends to
be based more on the size of a shipment. If you are shipping less than a
container load, your price is often determined by cubic meter. With larger and
heavier shipments, it is often much cheaper to ship by sea. As a shipment gets
smaller, the margin between the prices gets smaller and sometimes air will even
end up less expensive.Shippers should note that there are destination charges
to consider. Whether shipping by air or by sea, there will be customs and
destination fees. While the actual shipment cost of sea freight is usually
cheaper than the shipment cost of air freight, the warehousing fees at seaports
are many times more expensive than those at airports.
2. Speed
When it comes to speed, there is no question that air
freight is usually much Cargo Shipfaster. Since time is money, this factor
could more than make up for a higher cost of flying cargo. Many sea shipments
can take around a month to arrive while an air shipment takes a day or two. For
most business shipping, faster is better. When it comes to the individual
moving a household, it is often good to have the extra time to prepare for the
arrival of household goods in a new country. It should be noted that technology
keeps moving forward in the international shipping world. Ships are getting
faster. Canals have created shorter shipping routes. There are many ocean
freight shipments crossing the oceans and being delivered in as few as 8 days.
3. Reliability
Reliability is something we all look for in people,
businesses, products, and services. How does ocean freight and air freight
stack up against each other in this category? Air freight shipping has a much,
much shorter history than ocean freight shipping, yet air freight tends to win
the battle of reliability. Flights get delayed by weather and other factors,
but airlines tend to be very on top of their schedules. Ocean carriers are
notorious for being bad about this. It is not uncommon for ships to be off schedule.
For many, a day or two here or there doesn’t hurt; however, for many
businesses, a day or two could have serious cost effects. With airlines, there
are usually daily flights back and forth between major cities around the world.
Because of this, missing a flight doesn’t cause much of a delay for a cargo
shipment. Ocean lines tend to have weekly schedules. Missing the cutoff at a
seaport means a longer delay.
4. Environmental
Impact
Not everything is about the bottom line and convenience.
While the social awareness of environmental issues can change the way the
public looks at a company and affect its bottom line, we all have a
responsibility of taking care of the planet on which we live. It would seem
that ocean freight wins this category. CO2 emissions are much higher in air
freight transport than ocean freight transport. This causes cargo shipping by
air to have a much larger carbon fingerprint than cargo shipping by sea.
However, considering oil spills and the water ecosystems affected by ocean
freight, gives pause. Perhaps the jury is still out on this final factor.
Considering these four factors should help you
make the best decision for your cargo shipment.Sunday, 22 September 2013
RAILS TRANSPORTATION
Thailand to
open bids for high-speed rail project in 2013
The Thai government is planning to open international
bidding in early 2013 for the first phase of a high-speed train project planned
to be built at an investment of THB400bn ($12.69bn).
The Thai Transport Ministry is expected to propose the
master plan for cabinet approval later in 2012.
According to the government, the project is part of its
THB2.2 trillion ($69.83bn) infrastructure investment programme to be
implemented over the coming years.
Under the plan, four routes will be opened for bidding with
companies from China, South Korea, Japan and France reportedly interested in
the project.
The proposed high-speed train routes will span 250km,
connecting Bangkok-Pattaya, Bangkok-Pitsanulok, Bangkok-Nakhon Ratchasima and
Bangkok-Hua Hin.
Construction work on the four routes is expected to be
completed in 2018.
In the second stage, which is scheduled to be completed by
2022, new high-speed lines will be added, including routes from Bangkok-Rayong,
Bangkok-Chiang Mai, Bangkok-Nong Khai and Bangkok-Hat Yai.
Construction of the high-speed rail lines, which will be
used for freight and passenger services, will be carried out alongside existing
railway routes.
The Thai government expects that after completion of the
projects, the country's goods shipment transportation total usage will
eventually increase to 80%, compared to only 2% now.
Ireland
approves Dublin tram link project
The Railway Procurement Agency (RPA) of Ireland has granted
permission for the E370m Luas Broombridge project to link two Luas tram lines
in Dublin city centre.
Under the project, a new Luas line will be built from the
Green Line terminus at St. Stephen's Green through the city centre,
Phibsborough and Cabra to Broombridge.
The new six-kilometre Luas light rail line is expected to
commence operation by 2017, covering the entire journey in 24 minutes, serving
13 stations.
RPA director of light rail Michael Sheedy said: "It
will form the foundation of a high-quality integrated network, which will
significantly reduce the current high reliance on the private car."
The line will connect trams that are to be transferred
between the Red and Green lines with the Maynooth Line at Broombridge.
The new line will serve a recently-approved Dublin Institute
of Technology (DIT) campus at Grangegorman, which is expected to accommodate
more than 20,000 students.
Irish Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport Leo Varadkar
said when complete, Dublin will have an integrated rail and light rail network,
which has become the norm in other modern cities.
"For the first time, it will be possible to get a train
in Maynooth or Leixlip and get out in Dundrum or Sandyford with just one
change," Varadkar said. "Similarly, you will be able to get on the
Luas at Tallaght and with just one change, get out at the new DIT campus or at
Trinity College."
In 2011, the Luas network carried about 29 million
passengers; the new line is expected to transport an additional eight million
passengers per year, representing an increase of around 25%.
Thursday, 19 September 2013
RAIL TRANSPORT ABROAD
New South Wales to invest in rail maintenance facilities
The New South Wales (NSW) government in Australia has announced a plan to invest $60m to set up eight maintenance 'centres of excellence' for the state's rail network.
The investment is part of a programme to modernise NSW rail authority RailCorp's outdated maintenance practices.
According to the NSW government, the investment comes as it prepares for two new rail operators to join the network, Sydney Trains and NSW Trains, on 1 July 2013.
Construction on the first centre of excellence at Blacktown has already started, while others will be built at Sydenham, Hornsby, Strathfield, Glenfield, the Sydney CBD, Gosford and Wollongong.
A further four smaller satellite centres will also be set up at Sutherland, Hamilton, Lawson and Granville to rectify problems on the rail network. The state's three-year programme to improve maintenance and build centres of excellence to consolidate 130 disparate depots has been fast tracked to two years.
NSW Minister for Transport Gladys Berejiklian said that maintenance staff and inventory have been spread across 130 locations and there has been a fragmented and duplicated response to maintenance issues when compared to the Melbourne Metro, which has just eight main depots.
"Major track work is scheduled almost every weekend and it is also not unusual for staff to work on the track for only three hours of an eight hour shift. This all needs to change and there needs to be better coordination," Berejiklian said.
According to the government, the new centres of excellence will bring together the three major maintenance regulations, electrics, civil and signals.
"Maintenance of the rail network currently costs $1.1 billion a year; we need to be smarter about the way we do things and we need to eliminate the duplication, waste and lack of coordination that exists," Berejiklian added.
California High-Speed
Rail Authority to upgrade rail corridor
California High-Speed Rail Authority board member Jim Hartnett said that the MoU will help to combine high-speed rail with regional and state-wide rail system.High-speed rail is designed to bring the regions of California together while providing all important benefits at the local level.Work under the project will involve upgrading the tracks, adding safety features and preparing the route to run future high-speed rail services.
The partnership between Caltrain and high-speed rail will improve rail traffic for one of the most important economic and innovative regions in our country.CHSRA CEO Jeff Morales said: "The blended system will allow existing rail systems to benefit from and eventually merge with the high-speed rail programme, while also benefitting Bay Area commuters and all Californians in the near future."
Caltrain provides rail service from San Francisco to San Jose and further passenger services to Gilroy, transporting over 50,000 riders per week.The total cost of electrifying and modernising the entire Caltrain system is $1.45bn, with the project expected to be completed by 2019.
Caltrain provides rail service from San Francisco to San Jose and further passenger services to Gilroy, transporting over 50,000 riders per week.The total cost of electrifying and modernising the entire Caltrain system is $1.45bn, with the project expected to be completed by 2019.
An investment of $705m has been allocated to the project from Proposition 1A funds, which is being matched by a combination of federal, regional and local funding sources.The California High-Speed Rail Authority (CHSRA) in the US has approved a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Peninsula Corridor Joint Powers Board (JPB) to improve the rail corridor between San Francisco and San Jose in California, US.
Work under the project will involve upgrading the tracks, adding safety features and preparing the route to run future high-speed rail services.
The MoU also outlines a $ 750m modernisation plan to upgrade Caltrain's existing rail lines, electrify the rail corridor, install the advanced signalling system and acquire new electrified rail vehicles.
The modernisation programme is expected to cut Caltrain's operating costs by half and reduce the rail system's greenhouse gas emissions by more than 90%.
Monday, 16 September 2013
RISK OF ROAD TRANSPORTATION
Welcome to
the part 2 of the road transportation discussion. As I promise from the last
time, today I will be discussed about the critical issue on the road
transportation. The issue might as well like a "cliché" but believe
me, usually, the very critical issue in any kind of mode of transportation is
the sudden accident, that made all the superiors "scratching their head".
On 4th April
2012, 7.45 in the morning, at north south highway, Negeri Sembilan, there has
been an accident involving 3 types of heavy vehicles, trailer, a big lorry and
a tanker. A trailer carrying a load of sand, at first was damaged and stop for a while at the
left road shoulder, right at the exit
onto Nilai. Then, a lorry full with the soy sauce "Kipas Udang"
brand, was believed fail to avoid the trailer and crashed at the back of the
trailer. The strong momentum of crash had cause the lorry driver died from serious injuries and trapped in his
seat. And at the back of the lorry was a tanker that followed closely
and also fail to avoid the sudden stop, crashed the back of the lorry. The
tanker driver and the trailer driver are not injured but, the accident cause
the traffic jam for 10 kilometer long. CREDIT this news to ondscene.my.
The accident between 3 heavy vehicles. |
Actually there are many cases same like what
I have mention at the second paragraph
happened. And from my own experience, I am the witness of the accident
involving the Sky Net lorry with the other big lorry, maybe 4 or 3 days ago. The
reason why this thing happen is because of the sleepy driver and unfinished maintenance service of the vehicle.
These thing could be avoided if the
company or firm provide 2 driver in one transit in delivering the goods, also
the firm need to ensure the high level of security in term of the security of
the driver also the security of the vehicles.
Just now I mention about the unfinished
maintenance service, such as the break system problem and the tires problem.
The other cause of the road transportation accident is the weather problem. In
Malaysia, rainy weather
often results in wet and slippery road. In
such conditions, many
road accidents occur
especially on the highway because the driver could not brake well when the vehicle in front of them slows the vehicle suddenly.
That's why the government has set the exact distance between the vehicles in
front and behind, 4 to 12 meter. It is up to the driver whether he wants to
follow the rules. If he won't, then the accident will occur again next time for
sure.
And as a future "logistician worker", we might
as well faced this kind of risk. So what we should do?
Let's keep this question to the next discussion on part 3
of road transportation. Stay tuned, fellows.
Sunday, 15 September 2013
issue in price competiton between MAS airlines and air asia
Malaysia Airlines denied the accusation by AirAsia that it was using international
subsidies to finance its “Everyday Low Fares” campaig, as it launched its zero-fare campaign for local as well as for Southeast Asia destinations in May 2008. There are accusations made against Malaysia Airlines that it is practicing predatory pricing.
subsidies to finance its “Everyday Low Fares” campaig, as it launched its zero-fare campaign for local as well as for Southeast Asia destinations in May 2008. There are accusations made against Malaysia Airlines that it is practicing predatory pricing.
The debates on the predatory pricing test have shown that
finding a cost measurement technique that can be used in the test is problematic.
Tune Air Sdn Bhd acquired the equity in AirAsia became Malaysia‟s second
national airline. AirAsia became the first low fare, ticket less airline in
Asia. It offers a simple “no frills” service at fares that are on average significantly
lower than those offered by normal full-service airlines. Since AirAsia introduced its low fare
and no frills concept, the airline now flies to various destinations in
Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia, Singapore, China, Philippines, Brunei, Cambodia,
Laos, Vietnam and Myanmar. Also, AirAsia formed two successful joint ventures in Thailand
(Thai AirAsia), and in Indonesia (Indonesia AirAsia). The fundamental concept
of running a low fare carrier is the ability to manage a very low cost of
operation. First, AirAsia operates on a non-ticket service that saved the
airline about US$1 for each ticket. Second, it offers no meal or other
services. Instead the airline sells meals and snacks to the passengers. Third,
AirAsia works through supply chain management to get its supply-part inventory.
In 1973, Malaysia introduced Malaysian Airline Limited, which
subsequently was renamed Malaysian Airline System, or simply known as Malaysia
Airlines. Malaysia Airlines and Air Asia has a big different in term of price. It
focused on profitable growth in the face of big challenges in the airline
industry including overcapacity, intense competition with yields and profit
margins eroding, and rising fuel costs. Under the new business turnaround plan,
Malaysia Airlines‟ vision is to become the World‟s Five Star Value Carrier with
a mission to be consistently profitable. In order to achieve this mission, it
has adopted five business strategies (5-star products and services, lower
costs, competitive fares, get more customers and more revenue, and, grow network
and build capacity).
I think, the aim of competition is to direct resources to the
uses that will give the best benefits to consumers in the short run as well as
in the long run. The consumers are benefiting because they pay low fares. Everybody
can fly now without really burning their pockets. In conclusion, the price
competition between Malaysia Airlines and AirAsia has benefited the consumers.