MTR, Will their reputation stick in Melbourne?

I've been on the S-Bahn and U-Barn in Vienna, the tube in London, the impeccably kept Swiss alpine rail Berner Oberland Bahn, the BTS Sky train in Bangkok and the ICE train through Germany. Some of them you could say were highlights of my stint using public transport.

And then there were the likes of Trenitalia Italy, far from bad, but dicey at times in terms of timing and cleanliness. Still, nothing tops off our lovely metro system throughout Australia. Sydney and Melbourne, one memory comes to mind in particular. Five years ago, studying as a student in the western suburbs of Melbourne, led me to catch the then at the time Met-train on a regular basis. After hearing numerous vicious stories and rumors of certain disposed items, it was a common practice for me to brush my hand ever so cautiously over the stained cushion as not to place my buttocks on a protruding sharp object.

Another general concern I had was the sheer audacity of pedestrians performing suicidal runs between platforms over the railway lines. Sure, most the time there wasn't a train in sight or well off in the distance, but on occasion there were some close calls. One of the things I came to appreciate during my intercontinental travels was the safety incorporated thinking of station layouts. Glass shields with automatic doors proved successful in keeping people off the line and reduced the chance of victims falling onto the track when boarding the carriage.

Having being forced to rely on public transport throughout my time backpacking in Europe, I based a decent percentage of what I thought of a country and its government by their train system. I can't help but wonder what European backpackers think when they visit our major cities.

Now, there was one place I forgot to mention earlier, and that was Hong Kong, the first city I ever visited abroad. The train system, all I can say was very close to perfect. I found myself timing the train’s arrival at the stations to the second. For such a busy busy place, with thousands of reliant commuters, the carriages and stations were kept very well.

As you may well already know by now 'MTR' (Mass Transit Railway) Hong Kong's railway system, has won the takeover bid for the Connex Contract for the Melbourne Metropolitan rail system. Will we too one day be proud of our public transport infrastructure? Time will only tell, but one thing is clear, 'MTR' cannot be held fully responsible for trying to take over the current debacle and attempting to turn it into a something shiny, the government will still hold a big hand in the outcome.

-Matt, Logistical Challenge 2009

Photos Courtesy of Wikipedia SOURCE

This photos are licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution ShareAlike 3.0 License. In short: you are free to share and make derivative works of the file under the conditions that you appropriately attribute it, and that you distribute it only under a license identical to this one. Official license

Please read Part 1 of Melbourne Rail Revamp Collection

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New train, tram operators for Melbourne

Mex Cooper, June 25, 2009- (courtesy of 'The Age')

The appointment of new operators for Melbourne's train and tram networks will not bring about major service improvements unless the State Government invests more money, a peak transport users group says.

Public Transport Users Association president Daniel Bowen said Connex had become a scapegoat for the networks' failures, which were mainly due to a lack of Government infrastructure investment. "I think realistically it would have been political suicide for the Government to give Connex the contract back again, whether it's their fault or not, they've been the fall guy for the rail system,'' Mr Bowen said.

Connex and Yarra Trams are on their way out as the state government announces new rail operators for Melbourne.

Connex was this morning stripped of its contract to operate the network, with Hong Kong-backed company Metro Trains Melbourne to take its place. The city's trams will also have a new operator with Keolis Downer EDI ousting the incumbent Yarra Trams as the Government's preferred tenderer.

The fresh contracts will begin in December, with the new operators offered an initial eight-year term, with an option to extend for a further seven years. Mr Bowen said he feared the handover could result in a change of brands with few service benefits unless the Government fixed the train network's underlying problems.

"The operators need to beware because they'll playing with the cards they're given which is a lot of infrastructure problems (and) a lack of investment in the fleet to reduce overcrowding so they're going to be facing those sorts of issues,'' Mr Bowen said.

Opposition public transport spokesman Terry Mulder said Public Transport Minister Lynne Kosky should be the one getting the axe. "Changing the operators of Melbourne's rail and tram system changes little,'' he said. "The only meaningful change will be if Minister Kosky goes.

"It is Minister Kosky's fault, not Connex's, that 340,000 weekday rail commuters who each make a return trip are constantly late.''

The decision to oust Connex is likely to be warmly greeted by train passengers who have become increasingly infuriated with late, overcrowded and cancelled services across the network.

May was the fifth month in a row that Melbourne trains did not meet punctuality targets with almost one in 10 failing to arrive at their destination on time. Connex this year had $11 million wiped from its revenue by the Government after 2.8 per cent of all train services were cancelled in the first months of the year.

Asked if the tender decision was a condemnation of Connex, Mr Brumby said it "wasn't helpful to look back", but he admitted Connex's record showed that in some areas "obviously their performance could have improved''. Ms Kosky, a regular target of commuter fury, said MTM would deliver improved reliability and fewer cancellations for Melbourne's train passengers.

She said the change in operators would not affect current train and tram employees, who would be transferred to the new companies. Ms Kosky said the Brumby Government was investing in more tracks, more trains and trams through the $38 billion Victorian Transport Plan.

MTM is a joint venture between Hong Kong's MTR Corporation Ltd, Australian companies John Holland Melbourne Rail Franchise Pty Ltd and United Group Rail Services Ltd. MTR also operates the London Overground rail service.

The new contract will include a customer service regime, offering incentives for MTM to improve customer service announcements, cleanliness, graffiti removal and increased personal safety on the rail network.

The contract will also include a 50 per cent increase in funding for rail maintenance.

Announcing the tender winners this morning, Premier John Brumby said MTM had a proven track record of operating metropolitan train networks, achieving 99 per cent reliability on Hong Kong's mass transit system.

The new operator would bring "significant change" to Melbourne's transport network, he told reporters. Mr Brumby said the final cost of the contracts had yet to be decided, although he believed the winning bids represented value for money.

The tender decision had been based on reliability, punctuality, cleanliness, safety and cost, he said. The Government is yet to release the new names or livery for the city's train and tram networks.

Keolis Downer EDI (KDR), a consortium made up French firm Keolis and Australian maintenance provider Downer EDI, will also be offered an eight-year term with an option for a further seven years to run Melbourne's trams.

Mr Brumby said KDR's bid showed it was committed to customer service, including a greater focus on staff training and providing more timely and accurate information to passengers. "Our trams are an iconic symbol of our city and KDR has proven strategies to improve services, reduce cancellations and increase maintenance. KDR operates four tram networks in France,'' he said.

MTM chief executive officer Andrew Lezala said MTR in Hong Kong had a 99 per cent punctuality record. He said the company would draw on its international experience to improve Melbourne's train system.

KDR spokeswoman Maryanne Graham said the company would focus on putting passengers first and making trams safe. "We'll be thinking like a passenger and ensuring that reliability and punctuality are top of mind,'' she said.

Chief executive officer of Yarra Trams' parent company TransdevTSL, Dennis Cliche, said he was shocked and disappointed to lose the contract. "Over the 10 years of our incumbency, we've had a demonstrated track record of performance, value for money and low risk. We have proven expertise in operating the complex and unique Melbourne tram network,'' Mr Cliche said. "Naturally, we are deeply disappointed at today's announcement.''

Rail, Tram and Bus Union Victorian state secretary Trevor Dobbyn welcomed the new operators. He said the change gave the Government a chance to improve the public transport system for workers and passengers. "For too long public transport has been under-resourced, both in terms of staff and services provided to the public," he said.

Cooper, M., (2009). New train, tram operators for Melbourne. [online] The Age. Available from: SOURCE [Accessed 29 June 2009]. | MTR Logo | Keolis Logo

End of the Line, Channel 9 News

(June 27th, 2009). End of the line. Channel 9 News [online] Youtube; courtesy of user: VictorianTrainDebacle. Available from: SOURCE [Accessed 28 June 2009].

MTR > Connex Takeover, Channel 7 News

(June 26th, 2009). Dream Ride. Channel 7 News [online] Youtube; courtesy of user: jupjupz. Available from: SOURCE [Accessed 27 June 2009].

Denis Child Collection

Wow! What a find, this article really impressed me, Extra Heavy Duty Transport Enthusiast Denis Child and his achievements in South Africa; what an interesting insight, please join me in thanking Hank's Truck Picture's for bringing this to my attention

SAR&H operated a fleet of 23 (twenty-three) units; 5 x 800hp and the others were 500hp capacity. In the early 1980's till today they operate the roads of South Africa. They have covered over a 1 million miles already. SAR&H Pacific's are well known from 1977 as the "largest on-highway trucks in the world" The drivers that I know of have driven these machines for more than 26years (photo DSCF0118). In the early times they had radio's for communication with each as to change gears at the same time etc.. Today these drivers just watch the front trucks exhaust stack of the lead driver and then they change. These trucks are designed when four units are coupled together with H braces that they self steer. I was filming them one day when they approached a 90degree turning lane. Through the camera lens I noticed that three of the four drivers climbed out of the cabs and down the stairs. The lead driver drove the combination through the junction without any concern.

In 1999 I was given the opportunity by my employer to visit the USA and Canada for spares for these monsters. I visited Cummins in Columbus, Meritor in Detroit, PT&T in Canada, Vancouver Island BC, CCC in Tulsa and PACCAR in Seattle. I even meet the designer of the vehicles who is retired now these days. That was an experience! That was three weeks of most enjoyable driving and staying in the USA/Canada. Of the five large monsters (800hp) only two are operational due to spares. I heard one hour ago that one of the two units has stripped its diff gears.

These trucks have torque converters and retarders able to brake the tremendous forces being applied the front units especially when they are driving down steep hills. The thermal power station that I work at has six huge generator stators weighing 370each. The trailer that supports these generator stators weigh empty around 299ton. Add the load and trailer alone you get 670tons. Then add 45t per truck and there are five of them, four in front and one at the rear (braking not ballast for the rear unit) you get around 860tons gross combination mass. These monster average 1mile/gallon. They carry 2 000litres of fuel on each truck. They refuel every 200km. They empty a petrol (gas) station by themselves.

Suderman, H., (2006). Dennis Child Private Collection Extra Heavy Duty Transport Enthusiast SOUTH AFRICA. [online] Hanks Truck Picture's. Available from: SOURCE [Accessed 27 June 2009

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Crawler-Transporter System

The two tracked Crawler-Transporters previously used to move the assembled Apollo/Saturn from the VAB to the launch pad are now used for transporting Shuttle vehicles.

• Weight: 2,721 metric tons (6 million pounds)
• Length: 40 meters (131 ft) wide, 35 meters (114ft) long
• Miles: 2,526 miles (1,243 miles since 1977)

KSC has 2 crawler-transporters. Each vehicle consists of four double-tracked crawlers, each 3 meters (10 ft) high and 12 meters (41 ft) long. Each of the 8 tracks on a vehicle contains 57 shoes per track and each tread shoe weighs about .9 metric tons (one ton). Click here to see the crawler moving a shuttle .

The Crawler/Transporter is powered by 16 traction motors powered by four 1,000 kw generators, driven by two 2,750hp diesel engines. Two 750 kw generators, drived by two 1,065 hp diesel engines are used for jacking, steering, lighting, and ventilating. Two 150 kw generators are also used for MLP power.

When they were built, the KSC crawlers were the largest tracked vehicles ever made. (Surpassed by the Bagger 288 German excavator). They move the Mobile Launcher Platform into the Vehicle Assembly Building and then to the Launch Pad with an assembled space vehicle. Maximum speed is 1.6km (one mile) per hour loaded, about 3.2 km (2 miles) per hour unloaded. Launch Pad to VAB trip time with the Mobile Launch Platform is about 5 hours. The crawler burns 568 liters (150 gallons) of diesel oil per mile.

The top of the orbiter is kept vertical within plus or minus 10 minutes of arc, about the diameter of a basketball during the journey. Leveling systems within the crawler keeps the platform level while negotiating the 5% ramp leading up to the pad surface.

The height of the crawler is 6 meters (20ft) to 8 meters (26 feet) adjustable. The top deck is flat and square, about the size of a baseball infield, 27 meters (90 feet) on a side. Two operator control cabs, one at each end of the chassis, are used to control all crawler systems.

KSC's two crawler-transporters have accumulated 1,243 miles since 1977. Including the Apollo years, the transporters have racked up 2,526 miles, about the same distance as a one-way trip from KSC to Los Angeles by interstate highway or a round trip between KSC and New York City.

Dumoulin, Jim; Kennedy Space Centre (April 21st 2003). Crawler-Transporter System. Kennedy Space Centre [online] science.ksc.nasa.gov Available from: SOURCE [Accessed 26 June 2009].

Images Courtesy Kennedy Space Centre Media Gallery (December 21st 2004). Kennedy Space Centre [online] mediaarchive.ksc.nasa.gov Available from: SOURCE [Accessed 26 June 2009].

Port of Melbourne says channel project is "on time"

A project to deepen a channel to Melbourne's port is on time and within budget as it approaches 500 days since it began.

In a report in The Melbourne Times, the Port of Melbourne Corporation said the project, which began in February last year, had removed 19 million cubic metres of sand and silt - equating to about 83 per cent of the total amount to be dredged.

The port said the project was on budget and on schedule to be completed by August 31st.

Port of Melbourne CEO Stephen Bradford said he was pleased with the project's progress. "Works have been carried out with minimal disruption to users of the bay and we have seen no evidence to suggest dredging has impacted on its ecological health," he said.

Unknown, (June 24th, 2009). Port of Melbourne says channel project is "on time". Dredging News Online [online] sandandgravel.com Available from: SOURCE [Accessed 25 June 2009].

Longest Road Train

Preparations for the Big Attempt
Appeared in The Kalgoorlie Miner, Friday November 10 2000

Two days prior to the official “Tug Off” those involved were a buzz. People from everywhere were rallying together with what ever they could provide, from 1.4 kilometers of air hose, 7000 cable ties, 2000 hose clamps to 150 Eggs, 1 dozen loaves of bread and 20kg of sausages, everything and everyone was at hand.

The before mentioned items are only a small part of what was donated, the biggest donations of all came from those companies that provided the trucks and equipment that were taken off the road for a period of two days at a cost to their businesses. This, and the drivers and volunteers that gave their all were not paid for their time, is the spirit which turned the attempt into such a huge success. It would not have mattered to anyone involved if the truck had not moved, they broke all records by becoming one in achieving their goals.

The final preparations then began on Monday morning with a last ring around to confirm the supply of trailers and other equipment necessary to complete the task at hand. Trucks began to return home to their Kalgoorlie bases from various locations throughout Western Australia, some as far North as Karratha. Ten Compressors, Air hoses, fittings, cable ties and the like, signs and banners to be hung on trailers as representation of the various businesses involved in sponsorship began to arrive, the reality of what had taken months to organise had finally hit home. The time had arrived and the actual attempt was only days away, there was no backing out now.

On the Wednesday morning after completing nightshift, the main truck (KNL), which was to lead the pull, arrived in the Gould Transport Yard. Special attention was given to every minor detail of the truck to make sure it was able to deliver the goods when required. A group of dedicated people washed and polished every inch of exposed metal and chrome and at the end of the day it was well worth it, a credit to those who put in the hard yakka.

Also on that day, the day before the great attempt, the trucks were all being rigorously checked. This involved running them over pits and having several devoted mechanics scrutinise every last detail, checking for air leaks, making sure that all breaks were in good working order, that fittings and couplings were correct and that all trucks were safe and fully operational. This took approximately 18 hours to do. After they left the pits the trucks and trailers were washed, polished and run over the registered weigh bridge at Paddington. The weighing was witnessed by Mr Ron Van Dyk, an official representative of the Main Roads Department, this was also a very timely task as all weights had to be spot on to comply with “Guinness Requirements”.

Signs were hung on trailers and compressors put in place. The next step required that all trucks be driven from Paddington to a private haul road, this was done by one truck towing four trailers at a time. They were then placed in a predetermined order ready to be put into position the following morning. These preparations delved well into Wednesday night the eve of the attempt. It had been a long day, many started at 4am and didn’t finish until approximately 11pm.

The Big Day… Bright and early the next morning an entourage of bodies adorned in orange vests took to the Menzies Highway as the sun slowly rose over the Eastern horizon. They were on a mission and nothing could stand in their way. The task-to hook up 79 trailers at a total length of 1018 metres (this official length was recorded by main roads surveyors Bernie Millar and Ross Evans) and weighing in at 1072.3 tonne before the official “Tug Off Time” set for 9am.

The way this was achieved was by careful consideration and months of planning. The trailer lots that were once groups of four had now become groups of eight.

As time was of the essence it was necessary to close the southbound lane while this massive Road train was being formed. At around 7.30am KNL pulled out onto the Menzies Highway towing 12 trailers, it proceeded to the official starting line, which had been marked previously by main roads. This was only the beginning.

What followed was a continual stream of block trucks towing the trailer groups of eight to the area of hook up, approximately 3km from where they had been parked the night before.

Then using a loader fitted with an outrigger, which is used as a guide, and another truck to push the trailers up from the rear they were assembled.

Whilst this was taking place another group of volunteers were busy attaching auxiliary hoses, which needed to run the full length of the truck and trailers.

These hoses were then connected to compressors, which were allocated in approximately every eighth trailer, the compressors supplied air to make the brakes fully operational, if they were required. However the brakes were never used and the truck basically rolled to a standstill on completion of the 8.127 kilometres, the total distance travelled.

As the hours passed and the rear of the caterpillar of trailers began to disappear out of sight, the crowd grew (approx. 5000 people were in attendance) and the atmosphere increased in anticipation of what they were about to witness. Finally the last of six block trucks used in towing the trailers into position went past, and the entourage of orange vests began to assemble at the starting line.

All that was left to do, after several inspections, was the last and final check. “It took a while to come to the decision to let go but finally we figured that it was now or never. After months of living it and breathing it we suddenly realised what a mammoth task we had set ourselves-it was huge,” said Graeme ‘Techno Tug’ Terry, one of three fitters and a main player in the Doug’s Tug Team.

Steve “Stag” Mathews had taken his place behind the wheel accompanied by Gary Penn who, with a grin from ear to ear, was like a child let loose in a candy store.

The time had come a little over due, but no one cared for what they were about to witness will be a permanent fixture in their memories for years and years to come.

The Kalgoorlie Miner, (2000). Preparations for the Big Attempt. [online] Gould Transport. Available from: SOURCE [Accessed 25 June 2009]

Euro Truck Simulator

Generally in the gaming industry the last few trucking games released on the market have been some what comical with an arcade like feel to them.

Euro Truck Simulator is a European first - A truck simulation game in a European setting, with European long haulage trucks! Drive cargos from Rome to Berlin to Madrid to Prague - and many more cities - in realistic vehicles. Euro Truck Simulator is a faithful reproduction of driving trucks on the European road.

Drive across a realistic depiction of Europe, visit its beautiful cities, pick up a variety of cargo's, and deliver them on time!

The road network in Euro Truck Simulator is based on genuine European roads, and cities in the game bring the essence of their real-world counterparts to the game.

As the game is set in Europe, European truck-designs feature exclusively - all trucks use highly realistic, meticulously detailed models based on real trucks. The truck interiors of Euro Truck Simulator are as equally impressive as the exteriors. With actual working instruments such as flashing indicators, temperature and low fuel warning lights, wipers, and naturally - a full set of gauges including speedometer - all built into the interior 3D model, Euro Truck Simulator offers a truly immersive simulation environment. The player can pan around the cabin, just as if they were actually sitting at the wheel.

SCS Software; Euro Truck Simulator (Unknown Date). Euro Truck Simulator. Euro Truck Simulator [online] eurotrucksimulator.com Available from: SOURCE [Accessed 24 June 2009].

Cat 797B - World's Largest Truck

The Caterpillar 797B is an ultra class mining dump truck built by Caterpillar. The 797B is the largest mechanical truck in the world. If this machine ever needs to be relocated, it cannot be driven on conventional highways for obvious reasons, it must be disassembled and reconstructed at the next job site. In recent times tyre prices for dump trucks of this caliber have jumped from a meer $35,000 a piece to a now phenomenal $60,000 a piece.

Specifications:

Gross Operating weight: 623.7 Tonne
Payload weight: 380 Tonne
Engine: 3524B Series, 24-cylinder, four-stroke diesal
Max speed: 67 km/h
Power: 2650kw
Length: 14.5m
Width: 9.8m
Height: 7.6m
Height with Dumper lifted: 15.3m
Fuel capacity: 6,800 Litres
Cost: between $4.7 million to $5.6 million US Dollars

Images Courtesy of: SOURCE, SOURCE, SOURCE [Accessed June 23rd 2008]

BURAN Space Shuttle

An awe inspiring operation that I could not help but include on this blog, the sheer thinking, planning, finance & engineering behind such a move continues to amaze me.

"Stuttgart / Speyer – Not long ago, in the port of Rotterdam, a crane hoisted the BURAN onto a sixteen-axle low-bed trailer with a Mercedes-Benz Actros SLT 4160 8x6/4 heavy-duty tractor unit, which had previously been placed on a pontoon barge. The first thing onlookers saw when the barge carrying the BURAN came around a bend in the Rhine, was the leaf-green Actros heavy tractor unit of the Kübler haulage company. The Russian space shuttle BURAN ("snowstorm") fascinated spectators all along the Rhine valley, past Cologne, past the famed Loreley rocks and all the way to Speyer, the home of the Technik-Museum.

In the natural harbour at Speyer it was not just the BURAN that riveted the attention of visitors. Numerous heavy transport vehicle fans had also come to see the Actros SLT 4160 8x6/4 and its exotic cargo. Its drive configuration, approved for a maximum gross combination weight of 500 t, makes it a very rare sight indeed in the field of heavy-duty haulage. The Actros SLT 4160 8x6/4 is one of very few four-axle tractor unit with three driven and two steered axles. The all-wheel drive with the three driven axles and differential locks improves traction considerably compared with the 8x4 variant. And that this increased level of traction pays, can easily be seen, whether it is on the muddy ground of the natural harbour at Speyer, or simply on any large building site.

The two steered axles improve the tractor vehicle’s manoeuvrability immensely – and that is what the heavy haulage business is all about, whether it means centimetre-precise manoeuvring when driving off the pontoon barge, or just negotiating a roundabout.

Everything about the drive train of the Actros SLT tractor unit speaks of competence in heavy-duty haulage. The Mercedes-Benz OM 502 LA V8 16-litre turbocharged BlueTec 5 engine with charge-air cooling, delivers 447 kW/ 609 hp and a maximum torque of 2400 Nm at engine speeds between 1080 and 1800 rpm. The Actros SLT is equipped ex works with the largest radiator available. The Actros SLT heavy truck uses a Mercedes-Benz 16-speed G 240 range-change transmission with a WSK 400 torque converter clutch and retarder. The two-gear Mercedes-Benz VG 2400-3W transfer case with reduced-torque off-road ratio makes it possible to avoid gearshifts which entail an interruption of tractive force on slippery ground.

One look at the Actros SLT is enough to feel how it radiates power and self-assurance. Above the sun visor there is a chromed bar upon which four powerful searchlights are mounted, flanked by a compressed-air horn on one side, and a yellow rotating flashing beacon on the other. On the cab rear wall there are three searchlights for working at night. The red-and-white painted bumper and the Titan logo next to the Mercedes-Benz star all add to the powerful impression the Actros SLT makes; and it can afford to look powerful, simply because it is powerful."

Mercedes Benz South Africa (Not Dated). Actros SLT takes space shuttle move in its stride, Mercedes Benz South Africa[online] daimlerchrysler.co.za Available from: SOURCE [Accessed 23 June 2009].

Melbourne Public Transport - Connex issues

(April 16th, 2008). Melbourne Metropolitan Rail Network. Unknown [online] Youtube; courtesy of user: Morphet. Available from: SOURCE [Accessed 21 June 2009].

Dredging Port Phillip Bay

(January 9th, 2009). Dredging Port Phillip Bay. ABC [online] Youtube; courtesy of user: Jaymes61. Available from: SOURCE [Accessed 2 June 2009].

Links

Canadian Fulfillment Center - http://www.canadianfulfillmentcenter.com/industries-served/

http://www.canadianfulfillmentcenter.com gets you the best prices from pre-approved Canadian order fulfillment companies.  Try our service for free and get quotes from the top third party logistics services in Canada.

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Consider Inter Fulfillment for your Canadian order fulfillment needs.  We are the most efficient 3rd party order fulfillment in Canada.  In Business since 2005, we have warehouses in Toronto (Ontario) and Montreal  (Quebec)

Freight Dawg - http://www.freightdawg.com/

My name is Eric J. Joiner Jr. I've been fortunate to work in the logistics and supply chain field for a quarter of a century. I work with a large 3PL and logistics integrator in a global sales role. I am blessed to work in an industry that I love! Freight Dawg topics range from leadership, careers, green supply chains, supply chain technology, most transportation modes, passenger airlines, as well as logistics and supply chain strategy.

I'm not above the occasional tantrum on the trials and tribulations of my weekly air travel either! This is a truly multi-modal blog. Shippers, consignees and carriers are all covered here. The goal for Freightdawg.com is to provide industry level depth of content and perspective to logistics and supply chain professionals and
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Logistic Forums - http://www.logisticforums.com/

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3PLWire - http://www.3plwire.com/

We are now entering our third year here at 3PLwire and are looking forward to another great year in 2008. 2007 was a banner year for us; we completed our second full year, our readership doubled, and we were featured in an article in industry leading Inbound Logistics magazine.

Canadian Fulfillment Services - http://www.canadianfulfillmentservices.com

Canadian Fulfillment Services provides comparative price quotes and business leads for companies looking for fulfillment services in Canada.

Eye for Transport - http://www.eyefortransport.com/

Established in 1998, eyefortransport has become the world's leading provider of Logistics and Transportation information and services. We currently provide a number of services and products to this industry which include: Leading industry news source. Through our network of over 100 journalists, editors and consultants around the world, we are able to cover every important news story and report on new trends in the logistics and transportation field throughout every major economic region.

Tacho Blog - http://www.tachoblog.com/

Tachoblog wants your input! Whether it’s pictures of trucks of any kind - old or new - or of anything truck related, then please send them in with some text explaining the shots too please.
If you’re a driver then why not show us where you’ve been, what the weather’s like, news from the road, etc. The web’s a big place but the world’s even bigger and Tachoblog wants to have a truly global reach. Tachoblog will, of course, credit you as the source and, once Tachoblog sets it up, you’ll be added to the Tachoblog Community Page too.

eTrucker - http://www.etrucker.com/

Founded in 1934, Randall-Reilly Publishing the premier business-to-business media company focused on the trucking, construction and industrial markets. The company’s trucking division serves the fleet, owner-operator, recruitment, truck stop, used truck and trailer, dealer and heavy-duty aftermarket segments, with the following publications, products and events: (listed in there about us page)

Shipping in South Africa - http://shippinginsouthafrica.wordpress.com/

Hello all.. This is Hariesh Manaadiar.. As with every country in the world, South Africa is unique in terms of the shipping industry.. I have put together this blog with a view to provide information on the CONTAINER shipping industry in South Africa and the processes and procedures involved in the same.. I am hoping that this blog will help newbies to the shipping industry in SA and also help the existing shipping people in their work and at the same time providing the international shipping community with an overview into the SA shipping industry.

gCaptain - http://gcaptain.com/

Welcome to gCaptain.com, a new site that brings the tools of Web2.0 to the Maritime Industry. Launched in May 2007 the site gives ship captains, mates, maritime industry leaders and those interested in the shipping industry a home on the web.

English Russia - http://englishrussia.com/

English Russia is a daily entertaiment blog devoted to the events happening in Russian speaking countries, such as Russia (Russian Federation), Ukraine, Belarus, Moldova, Kazakhstan, etc. Everyday something interesting happens in the countries occupying 1/6 of the populated world. We are here to inform you about it.

Order Fulfillment Canada - http://www.orderfulfillmentcanada.com

Get Info on Order Fulfillment in Canada by visiting http://www.orderfulfillmentcanada.com.  
We will provide you the best competitive quotes from the major fulfillment businesses

Logistics, Supply Chain, Transport, Distribution, Warehousing it doesn't have to all be about the spreadsheets & bar charts! Logistical Challenge will expose you to the somewhat gritty yet impressive side of our industry. Logistical Challenge endeavors to provide its readers with up to date information on extreme situations and the ever enduring team spirit involved fulfilling these achievements.