Promoted by American Malcom McLean in the ‘50s containers changed the face of the world, spelling death to long distance shipping as the jet engine spelled death to long distance passenger transport and Internet to long distance communications. Today McLean’s boxes make the world go round. Most of them are manufactured in China, where a standard container — 20 feet long and holding up to 28 tons — sells for 2,500 Dollars. But the trend is toward a 40- foot “stretch” version. Also growing in popularity is the refrigerated model which, easily identified by its white exterior, costs as much as a mid-sized car. [ continuare ]
National Company Canals Administration (in short, ACN) made one million Euros profit last year, despite unfavorable currency exchange rate, bad weather hindering navigation and other adverse factors. If national currency’s strengthening related to Euro equally affected many other Romanian businesses, the other problems encountered by ACN are day-to-day worries for Mr Valentin Zeicu, general manager of the company. He sees lack of freight and not the weather (namely draught times) as the main reason for which the traffic remains constant and is even curtailed. On the other hand, ACN management observed a worrying multiplication of ship accidents on the canals, the main cause being elementary pilot error. [ continuare ]
On April 4th, Cefin Romania launched the new heavyweight Iveco, Stralis AS3. Planning to sell 250 units this year, Iveco Romania already achieved a great part of this target, following two contracts from its main Romanian dealer, Cefin. Guler Com Imex ordered 50 vehicles (with an option for 150 more during the next 24 months) and Dunca Expeditii bought 30 trucks, forcing Cefin’s CEO to abstain from any forecast regarding the market’s growth this year: ”Last year we experienced a 30% growth, with demand rising mainly from the distribution sector, but we can’t dare to imagine the degree of expansion for this year“ [ continuare ]
Fruitful April: we have a new Government, meaning we have countless replacements in the second echelon of the central administration - state secretaries, directors, more or less important bosses, either good or bad. We have slowed projects as a consequence of the eternal ”theirs go, ours come“. We have a new minister of Transports, eager to do many things, and rushing plans right after nomination. No further comments - the man must show what he can do. [ continuare ]
In momentul scrierii acestor randuri, presedintele ales isi reia in primire palatul si postul, dupa o luna mai in care am avut parte de o campanie inedita - „unul vs. 322“, dar si de dezvaluiri interesante despre activitatea nevazuta a functionarilor cu putere de raspundere in transporturi. Am aflat de pilda ca multe proiecte de infrastructura rutiera au ramas intepenite in stadii incipiente nu mai putin de un an si jumatate sau ca altele au fost chiar blocate prin anularea unor licitatii. Ca a fost vorba despre atacuri mincinoase la adresa „fostilor“ sau pur si simplu despre ziceri sincere, e inca dificil de apreciat, dar in mod cert am asistat la o mult mai febrila si transparenta activitate a Ministerului Transporturilor. Ludovic Orban a reusit un adevarat tur de forta si s-a intalnit in cateva saptamani cu reprezentanti ai multor „bresle“ din transport, de la operatori feroviari la cei fluviali. Evident, a facut multe promisiuni, repetand intr-una lectia bine invatata a unui program de guvernare impanat cu obiective ambitioase. [ continuare ]
Rodnica luna aprilie: schimbare de Guvern, schimbare de ministru la Transporturi, schimbare de sef de stat, schimbare... Enervant de multa schimbare! [ continuare ]
