The scheme was launched in November 2011 by Lord Green. This aims to create a collaborative community of professional businesses with the common goal of entering or expanding the UK export market.

The UK needs to boost its exports in order to provide growth for the economy, which can no longer rely on debt-fuelled consumption as a model. To this end, the National Challenge has set a target of 100,000 SMEs to either begin exporting or expand their exporting operations in the next five years. By doing so, new jobs will be created and new markets tapped into, enabling the UK to build a solid financial future into the 21st century.

Cardinal Plus will be playing a key role, along with a group of advisors from across a variety of sectors and UKTI, helping to support and advise new exporters and put them in touch with the services and expertise they need to meet the challenge. For more information on how to get involved, contact Chris Bartram on 0161 492 1778 or at chris.bartram@cardinalmaritime.com

Now in their 23rd year, the awards recognise key players in the freight industry and cover a variety of categories including project forwarding, supply chain management and the Young Freight Forwarder Award. Peter Quantrill, BIFA Director General, said, “In the years I have been involved in these Awards, I have been convinced that they serve as a benchmark of best practice, both for Members and non-Members.

“As in every year, these entrants show strong interest in the Awards that have come to represent the best of British forwarding. I appreciate that entering the Awards takes time and effort and I applaud the effort put into the entries that were, as ever, of the highest quality.”

Over 400 people attended the awards luncheon, including Cardinal Plus CEO Brian Hay. Cardinal Plus sponsored the official programme of the 2011 Awards and would like to extend our congratulations to all the finalists and winners. A full list of the finalists and winners can be found on the BIFA website.

So far the UK, the Philippines and Georgia have voiced their support for firmer measures, and over 26,000 letters of support being sent by members of the public to governments across the world as a result of the campaign. The activities of the Somali pirate gangs are costing an estimated $12 billion a year according to figures released by SOS, with the situation getting worse as the international community fails to clamp down on the phenomenon.

The Suez Canal provides a vital sea link between Europe and Asia, and it is estimated that about one-fifth of global trade passes through it, with particular importance for shipping the oil that is extracted in the Arabian Gulf region. The SOS campaign, which was established in March 2011, asks key shipping industry representatives to communicate the severity of the issue to leaders in the wider business community in the expectation that they in turn will put pressure on governments to take action.

The operation took place near the Somalian town of Higlale, where the two aid workers were being held, having been kidnapped en route to Galkayo airport. Buchanan and Thisted were working for the de-mining unit of the Danish Refugee Council.

Following the helicopter rescue, President Obama issued a statement stating that the United States “will not tolerate the abduction of our people, and will spare no effort to secure the safety of our citizens and bring their captors to justice”. However, port agency GAC warned that pirate groups may escalate threats and violence against captives in response to the operation, as a deterrent to future military intervention. A recent report stated that a Taiwanese fishing vessel captain had his arm amputated by captors after the vessel owners refused to meet ransom demands, which according to GAC proves that pirates are capable of following through on threats towards hostages.

Among the many traditions honoured during this period are the lightning of incense at the graves of ancestors, the preparation of various symbolic meals, offerings to Buddhist or Taoist gods, the handing out of “lucky money” in red envelopes, and family reunions, culminating in the lantern festival on the 15th day.

Why not join us in celebrating the New Year by entering this month’s competition to win your own red envelope – containing a voucher for £88, a very lucky number in Chinese tradition! Click here to enter.

The report goes on to call for clear direction from the government as to whether armed guards aboard UK-flagged commercial vessels are within their rights to open fire if they perceive a threat from an armed pirate skiff.

With average ransoms at an average of USD4.7 million per vessel, the incentive to the pirates is thought to outweigh the currently limited repercussions if they are caught. At present, in 90% of cases where pirates are detained, they are simply returned to their boats of to land without facing any further charges.

The report suggests there is no reason the UK cannot assert jurisdiction over suspected pirates, with Committee Chairman Richard Ottaway calling for decisive action to be taken. In response, UK Foreign Secretary William Hague has said that next month’s London Conference on Somalia will be utilised to address the issue as part of a holistic approach to tackling Somalia’s political and humanitarian problems.

The 47,230-tonne vessel has lost up to 300 after being pounded by waves of up to six metres, with a new oil leak feared. The initial grounding caused a fuel oil spill which was described as New Zealand’s worst ever maritime environmental disaster. The slick spread up to 3km from the vessel, hitting nearby islands and beaches.

The vessel’s stern is now likely to capsize and sink, severely impeding any efforts to salvage the remaining cargo on board, according to MNZ salvage adviser Jon Walker. The vessel’s captain and other senior officers face up to 16 charges relating to the wreck.

Container throughput has increased by 10%, ro-ro traffic by 4% and other general cargo by 13%. This has been tempered by declines in iron and scrap, crude oil and mineral oil products, which shrank by 6%, 8% and 6% respectively.

Smits credits the good performance to ongoing investment in capacity and new activities, including the storage of LNG and the production of bio-ethanol, and predicts that the port will comfortably ride out the current Eurozone crisis that has negatively impacted trade in recent months. “We also expect reasonable growth as from 2013,” he stated.

The awards are aimed at identifying the brightest and most forward-thinking businesses across the UK, with the national finalists in the running to receive up to £6 million in lending from HSBC. CEO Brian Hay was on hand to accept the award on behalf of the company. The final winner will be announced in 2012. More information can be found on the HSBC website here.

Our commitment to honest, transparent business practice and pricing, partnered with a suite of innovative online tools have ensured a growing base of loyal customers and sustained annual growth in uncertain economic times. Winning the award was the icing on the cake for 2011.