Approval for a $2 billion dollar, Centerpoint Properties integrated logistics centre has been granted by the City of Joliet as the proposal is expected to bring to the region approximately 6,900 Jobs and $765 million dollars in annual economic output.

The facility, which is to cover about 3,600 acres of land immediately south and adjacent to Joliet will mirror an existing integrated logistics centre in nearby Elwood.  A facility that has seen economic benefit for the region with revenues going up nearly 10-fold and annual local wages increasing more than 50 percent.

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The United States Surface Transportation Board last Friday released a long awaited Draft Environmental Impact Statement(*) regarding the proposed acquisition of the Elgin, Joliet & Eastern Railway Company (EJ&E).

According to the Surface Transportation Board(STB), the draft Environmental Impact Statement  analyses the environmental impacts that might occur if Canadian National Railway(CN) were to acquire and operate trains over the EJ&E Railroad, and compares those to the environmental impacts of continuing rail operations on the EJ&E rail line and the five CN rail lines that feed into Chicago.

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The trucking industry in Australia appears split over attempts by two of the industry’s representative organisations to organised a nationwide stoppage of truck transport.

The stoppage, which commenced this morning in Australia has been organised by the Queensland based National Road Transport Forum and Australian Long Distance Owners and Drivers Association in response to increased fuel prices and proposed legislation by Australia’s Labor government which would see a raft of new charges imposed on the industry.(*)

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The Canadian Minister of Transport, Infrastructure and Communities, the Honourable Lawrence Cannon last week announced that three more of of the countries airports have qualified for the international air cargo transshipment program.

The three airports concerned, Prince George Airport, Toronto Pearson International Airport and Halifax Stanfield International Airport, have now received approval to participate in the program.  The approval specifically allowing the airports to move air cargo through the airports for shipment to third countries.

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In the wake of comments made by Canadian National Railway’s Chief Executive Officer, Hunter Harrison this week, Freightscene.com has contacted Canada’s largest rail freight company to clarify the companies position on the intended acquisition of the Elgin, Joliet & Eastern Railway Company (EJ&E).

Speaking to Mark Hallman, the Public Affairs Officer from Canadian  National, Freightscene.com has learned that that despite acknowledged opposition to the Canadian national’s proposed acquisition of EJ&E, the company intends to proceed with the transaction and see the acquisition come to fruition by years end.  However Canadian National have qualified the intention to proceed by saying that the company may look to other options other than EJ&E should circumstances such as mitigation costs and time delays prove to be excessive.  Other options include looking into alternatives to EJ&E and using the funds set aside for the EJ&E acquisition for those purposes.

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Worldwide freight and logistics company DHL has announced that its Global ProView, package tracking system will be available to customers around the world after operating successfully in the United States since 2006.

Available to customers of DHL’s Time Definite International (TDI) Express services, the Global ProView enables, according to the company, tracking of shipments quickly, easily, and simultaneously with a single online application, the tracking system being accessible from any point on the Internet.

With the Global ProView system now being rolled out in most key markets by the end of the year, DHL believes that customers will see prompt and welcome differences, especially for those consumers with a large number of TDI shipments.

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River freight company American Commercial Lines has advised the media today of an incident concerning one of the firms liquid barges on a section of the Mississippi River.

Early details indicate that the incident involved a collision with the motor vessel Tintomara at Mile Marker 97 of the Mississippi River in the New Orleans area, thus, the incident has seen sections of Lower Mississippi River from LM80 through LM99 closed while environmental assessment, containment and clean-up operations take place.

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Global transport and logistics company, De Sammensluttede Vognmænd or DSV has announced the acquisition of new equipment in order to take advantage of intermodal and multimodal opportunities the company sees as emerging in the wake of growing environmental considerations.

The Danish company has acquired 450, 45 foot containers, containers that DSV say will be used to increase transport solutions for customers as road transportation is reconsidered if favour of more efficient, short-sea, rail and barge transport.

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Kuwait based cargo airline, LoadAir Cargo announced recently that the new company has signed an agreement with the Boeing Company for the delivery of two 747-400 Extended Range Freighter aircraft.

Announced during the 2008 Farnborough Air Show, the two aircraft are scheduled for delivery to LoadAir Cargo in the first few months of 2009.  Both aircraft sport the distinctive nose door which easily accommodates over-size cargoes, as well as side door access that provides superior efficiency and flexibility in ground operations.

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Texas based energy company Genesis Energy has advised that the company has completed a transaction that will see the company with an interest in the marine transportation business.

Entering into a partnership with TD Marine and the Davison family of Ruston, Louisiana, the joint venture, to be known as DG Marine Transportation, acquired the inland marine transportation of Grifco Transportation.

The acquisition will enable the new venture to obtain and operate twelve barges and seven push boats, however DG Marine Transportation intend to place into service an additional eight barges and three push boats during the first quarter of 2009.

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