The strong earthquake in Turkey on Monday, February 6, 2023 killed more than 35.000 people and injured many. Everyone has seen the terrible images with the devastation left after the earthquake. Several relief efforts were started immediately after the earthquake. Including the relief action of our own charter Ramazan Cöl.

Ramazan, together with 10 other drivers, immediately offered to carry out the transport to the affected area selflessly. After various collections throughout the country, on Friday morning, February 10, 2023, 4 trucks full of relief goods left from the Botlek-Rotterdam towards the AFAD (Management Authority for Disasters and Emergencies) in Ankara, Turkey. 

Along the way, they encounter carriers from all over Europe who bring relief supplies to Turkey. And after a long journey of 4 days with their obligatory rest in between, they arrive at the Turkish border. And on the last day they still have about 700 kilometers to Ankara. Many trucks have already visited the AFAD in Ankara, Ramazan has to unload his load of relief goods 24 kilometers away. This brings to an end his special journey to help people in need. 

In recent weeks we have spoken to many people who knew someone directly or via via who unfortunately fell victim to the Earthquake. This is how we came into contact with the Dutch Turkish Meeting Center (NTO) in Spijkenisse. The NTO quickly took action with a fundraising campaign and with the support of the municipality of Nissewaard, they were soon able to arrange a third transport to Ankara. Due to the overwhelming collection of the inhabitants of Spijkenisse and beyond, there was a shortage of storage. After switching quickly with our partners ABS Containers BV and Hurkens Transport en Expeditie BV, we placed a 20ft container on location with a side-loader as temporary storage.

In collaboration with our partners and everyone who wanted to contribute, we raised the amazing amount of € 5.659,14 with this promotion. We would like to thank everyone for their contribution and support in this. The remainder will be donated to a local charity for this natural disaster.

In collaboration with, among others ATL Renting BV, Carter Group, ULSI – United Logistics Services International, ABS container, Hurkens Transport & Expeditie BV,Genmark BV, St(h)erk Foundation and all other donors!

Thanks again from all of us!

Companies that also support the transport of relief goods to Turkey:

• ATL Renting BV selflessly made a trailer available.
• Carter Group en Ulsi jointly pledge 300 liters of diesel for transport to Turkey.
• In cooperation with ABS containers en Hurkens Transport & Expeditie BV we placed a 20ft container with sideloader at the Dutch Turkish Meeting Center (NTO) in Spijkenisse for the storage of relief goods for Turkey.
• Genmark BV pledges 200 liters of diesel for transport to Turkey.
• St(h)erk Foundation with a contribution to the transport to Turkey.
• All other donors!

09/02/2023 - After an overwhelming collection, the trailer of ATL Renting BV was today loaded with relief goods at the Mosque in Rozendaal.

10/02/2023 - 4 drivers gather in the Botlek-Rotterdam to leave for the Turkish border after a short inspection at 09:30. From the Turkish border, they will continue their journey to the AFAD (Disaster and Emergency Management Authority) in Ankara. Here the relief supplies will be delivered and further sorted and coordinated for transport to the disaster areas. The drive to Ankara is +/- 3.200 kilometers and will take 4/5 days. In recent days we have spoken to many people who have set up various relief actions. That is how we also came into contact with the Dutch Turkish Meeting Center (NTO) in Spijkenisse. The NTO quickly took action with a collection campaign and due to the overwhelming collection of the residents of Spijkenisse and beyond, there was a shortage of storage. After switching quickly with our partners ABS Containers BV and Hurkens Transport en Expeditie BV, we placed a 20ft container on location with a side-loader as temporary storage
 
11/02/2023 - After a full day of driving, the drivers reached the German-Austrian border the next morning. After the obligatory break they continued their journey and in the afternoon they reached the border crossing to Hungary. 

13/02/2023 - After a long journey, the drivers arrive in Bechet, Romania. From here they want to make the transition to Bulgaria by boat. But unfortunately it is very busy here and they do not get priority with the relief supplies. After the delay and mandatory rest, they can finally board at 14 pm. After arriving in Bulgaria they continue their journey and late at night after 30 days they reach the Turkish border. 

14/02/2023 - Since the drivers also have to take a rest along the way, they leave the next day at 11:00 am for the last part of their journey. After a long day of travel, they just don't make it to Ankara and they will have to travel a short distance the next day to their final destination.

15/02/2023 - After 5 days, the drivers arrived safely at the AFAD (Management Authority for Disasters and Emergency Situations) in Ankara - Turkey. Many trucks have already brought relief supplies here throughout Europe, so that Ramazan is forwarded to a location 24 kilometers away. After the relief supplies have been unloaded, his special journey to help people in need comes to an end.

The 6th winter edition of the Carbage run will take place from 10 to 2023 February 6 (week 13). This is the ultimate snow road trip to Scandinavia. This time we don't drive with our trucks, but there are 2 cars recognizable by UCT.

The unique and challenging route runs through Sweden and Norway towards the finish. But the biggest challenge of this journey is that the current value of the car may not exceed € 500,00 and the year of construction may not exceed 2000. And of course the car must meet all legal requirements. But in addition, the teams are also challenged not to start with just an old barrel. Hidden talents and creativity must be used to appear at the start with the most original barrel!

Wondering if the team The 4 “Wise” Kings make it to the finish line? Their journey can be followed via Polarsteps – Garbage run 2023

For Het Financieele Dagblad, William van Beers and other container logistics companies indicated how they deal with the pressure and what the expectations are for this year.

It was already the case last year and, according to logistics companies and analysts, will not be much different in 2022: container transport capacity is insufficient to absorb the consequences of the corona pandemic and consumer shopping spree. It leads to a chaos of delays, congestion in ports and historically high container prices. The links in the logistics chain – shipping companies, terminals and carriers – can hardly cope with the influx of containers. Analysts from the British research agency Drewry recently wrote that the weaknesses in the international container chain are far from being eliminated.

They also identify a number of major risks for which companies must prepare. For example, strikes are threatening in the already overcrowded ports on the American west coast. And due to new corona infections, there is a good chance that terminals in China will close. Due to the international interdependence of container shipping, this has an effect in Europe.

The workload is high in the container chain. There is a daily battle to get containers to customers on time. 'It is wild west at the moment,' says Michiel van Dijk, director of logistics at inland shipping operator Van Berkel Logistics. “I think the disruptions will last for a long time. The capacity is already packed. And where should the extra capacity come from to clear backlogs?'

How do Dutch container logistics companies deal with the pressure? And what are their expectations for this year?

The transporter

William van Beers, road transporter United Container Transport (UCT)

'The chaos in container shipping has taken a toll on UCT. It is impossible to measure the arrival times of container ships, so we have to adapt all the time.'

'When a ship arrives, everyone wants to get the containers. We've had bizarre waiting times. We are now working 24 hours a day, seven days a week to check the arrival times of ships.'

'Because of those very large ships, any flexibility is gone. If a few such ships slow down, the cargo piles up once they arrive in port. The peaks are huge.'

'Usually we plan a morning and an afternoon trip for a truck, because only then can we generate sufficient turnover. But because of the waiting times, it often happens that we can only do one transport per day.'

"I hope we get into calmer waters, but I don't see it changing quickly in 2022. Another year of wear and tear will not appeal to many planners and drivers'

“I don't see it changing any time soon in 2022. If we cannot unload at storage sheds at night, there will be congestion in the chain. I hope we get into calmer waters. Another year of wear and tear will not appeal to many planners and drivers.'

“They are on the phone day and night to solve problems, but those problems keep coming back. They keep lagging behind the facts.'

'How can we organize the logistics better? Make good agreements more often with all parties without putting your own problems first. I'm not optimistic. We are all loners in the end.”

Read the full article: https://fd.nl/bedrijfsleven/1425884/ook-in-2022-dreigen-wildwesttaferelen-in-de-containerlogistiek

Source: Het Financieele Dagblad