Chairman’s Message
Many will know that my family home is in Kerala, Southern India. However you may not know that this time of year holds a very special meaning for me, my family and all fellow Malayalees. “Onam” is our cultural belief festival where we celebrate the annual homecoming of the mythical King Mahabali. Between 29th August and 10th September, a grateful Kerala presents accolades in memory of this benevolent king who sacrificed everything for his subjects. Beautiful floral displays, colourful clothes, games, dances, sports, music and snake boat races are all bound in unison as families partake in the traditional Onam meal.
Onam’s gentle message of unity, peace and love, is one that brings hope in a world currently filled with tragic news from near and far. I visualise that all cultures have similar legends and that we can unite, to build nobler societies, by relating them to our younger generations. It is the attitude of people which causes problems. I believe that by adopting an attitude and approach to life, similar to the Onam ethos, we may engender love amongst communities and promote non-violence.
Just as Onam highlights Kerala, in a similar way “Lighthouse” is a stage for C.S.S. and its achievements. This is our family magazine, which is why your views are so relevant. As we regard all your feedback as meaningful we are pleased to learn that “Lighthouse” is being well received. I hope that my message, particularly in this edition, emphasises the importance of you being members of our C.S.S. family. Similar to the message of Onam, if we embrace a positive attitude, sincere friendships, honourable trust and a belief in doing our best for others we are bound to happily achieve our aims. Accordingly I convey to everyone Onam Wishes –
“Onashamsakal”
With the freight and logistics sector on an upward rise, given the recent growth the UAE is experiencing, CSS Group is pleased to announce that it is in the preliminary stages of developing a new state of the art office and warehouse facility adjacent to its flagship Container Freight Station in the Jebel Ali Freezone. The new office building will be having a sprawling size of over 15,000 sq. ft. with warehousing facilities of over 30,000 sq. ft. The planned expansion is an evidence of how CSS Group has embraced opportunities of growth by strategically ensuring that their infrastructure is aligned with the constantly evolving economy of the UAE.
The team at CSS Projects, Oil & Energy, recently undertook a transformer movement from Derince, Turkey to the Ras Al Khor substation in Dubai. The volume of the cargo was 1000 CBM, and included a 308 tonne power transformer and accessories. Given that the weight of the transformer was greater than the crane gear a special 650 tonne crawler crane had to be arranged at both origin and destination ports to arrange the loading and unloading of the transformer. As the shipment was time sensitive, the team at CSS had to ensure that there were no delays at any stage of the shipment until the final destination. Once it reached the port of destination, the transformer was discharged onto a 14 axle hydraulic trailer at Jebel Ali port and was then moved to the electric substation for final installation by jacking & skidding method. “This movement is a great example of how the team here at CSS Projects, Oil & Energy is able to handle movements that require multiple special handling methods, especially in the case of time sensitive shipments. The experience the team consists of gives them the confidence to immediately address the situation on hand and provide the client with the most effective solution in the given time frame,” added Raj George Sr. VP, Projects Oil & Energy.
The FPS Group Annual General Meeting and its week-long programme of associated meeting and events will be held at the Hotel Solverde Spa & Wellness Center, Oporto, Portugal from October 20-25, 2014. This year’s FPS AGM theme is, “New era, new spirit.”
A similar tale to “Homeward Bound,” a remake of a 1963 film titled “Incredible Journey”, which is the story of two dogs and a cat who undertake an incredible journey to reunite with their owners, CSS Homeward Bound recently handled the relocation of a Havenese cross (K9) and a male cat from Kathmandu to Senegal.
Weighing 5 and 6kg’s, the pets flew in from Nepal with a stopover in Dubai for two days. Given the sensitive nature of the cargo, CSS Homeward Bound was able to expedite permissions with the Ministry of Environment and DNATA as it requires an inter-terminal transit. CSS Homeward Bound also arranged for the pets to be taken care of by the Dubai Kennels and cattery, as direct flights to Dakar are only every two days from Dubai.
Dubai Trade, the premier cross-border trade facilitator, and Abu Dhabi National Insurance Company (ADNIC), one of the region’s leading providers of insurance solutions for individuals and corporates, recently organized a forum to announce the official launch of Tradeshield for online cargo insurance.
With all eyes on a possible lifting of sanctions on a resource rich Iran, BBC World News had a special feature on highlighting the opportunities that would be available especially for the freight forwarding and logistics sector in the region. Titled, “Iran attracts investors hoping for trade sanction relaxation,” the BBC World News filmed part of its segment at the CSS Group’s Container Freight Station based in Jebel Ali Freezone. Iran’s nuclear talks have been extended until November, but whilst the negotiations continue, many companies have been re-building business relations with their Iranian counterparts driven by the enormous potential the lifting of the trade restrictions would bring. CSS would like to extend a special thanks to Mark Lobel and Ola Naguib from the BBC for giving them the opportunity to be a part of the ground-breaking series.
HER EXCELLENCY REEM AL HASHIMY, MANAGING DIRECTOR OF EXPO 2020 HIGHER COMMITTEE AND MINISTER OF STATE FOR THE UAE, UPDATED THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE BUREAU OF INTERNATIONAL EXPOSITIONS (BIE) ON THE UAE’S PREPARATIONS FOR HOSTING EXPO 2020, IN PARIS LAST MONTH.
Her Excellency Reem Al Hashimy, Minister of State for the UAE, updated the General Assembly of the Bureau of International Expositions (BIE) on the UAE’s preparations for hosting Expo 2020, in Paris last month. This was the first formal address to the General Assembly made by the Expo 2020 Higher Preparatory Committee since winning the right to host the World’s Fair. “Dubai Expo 2020 will be the platform to continue to execute on our country’s visionary leadership around the need for connectivity and mobility, economic opportunity and sustainable practices as the pillars of today’s interdependent world,” she said, in her speech to the assembly. “The infrastructure and the progressive policies that serve this vision will continue to grow in size and quality to serve the participants and the visitors of Dubai Expo 2020. Our goal to deliver on an Expo with seamless operations will leverage the national efforts to implement a greater vision shaping the next 50 years of our country,” she added. Al Hashimy also pointed out that while Expo2020 was a win for Dubai, the event will also have great impact throughout the MENASA region. “The tremendous support we received in November marked a significant victory, not only for us but for all countries across the Middle East, North Africa and South Asia. Our support base ranged from the countries of the North as well as the South – the East as well as the West.?This recognition furthers our commitment to develop an inclusive platform that allows our partners on this global stage to truly showcase the best they have to offer, and — in that journey — create linkages and partnerships with others,” she said.?The delegation to the BIE was led by HH Sheikh Ahmed Bin Saeed Al Maktoum, President of Department of Civil Aviation, Chairman and Chief Executive of Emirates airline and Group and Chairman of the Expo 2020 Preparatory Higher Committee. “The Dubai Expo 2020 road map is well progressed as we resolutely honour our commitment to create a truly transformative World Expo, that through partnerships and collaboration will seek to foster innovative, inspirational and practical solution-creation for our collective future,” said HH Sheikh Ahmed.
At the end of last year it was with great pride that DP World received the country’s highest business accolade, the prestigious Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Business Award for Most Outstanding Performance for 2013.
Our Mission of a global approach to a local business environment where excellence, innovation and profitability drive our core business philosophy of exceptional customer service correlates directly with the framework of MRMBA. For this reason, the award carries an extra significance as it is a reflection of our core Vision, Mission and Values.
Dating back to as early as 2600 BC, games have been a universal part of human experience and are present in all cultures. Games play an important role in the development of children and this is true throughout the world. Like everywhere there are traditional games that are specific to this region.
The Direct console service will be handled through the port of Southampton in the UK, which will allow CSS to target the entire UK sector with reduced transit time. Hence CSS Abu Dhabi partnered with Locker Freight which is a limited company registered and operated from the UK with nearly 42 years trading experience in worldwide logistics. “With the number of UK citizens now residing in the UAE, and the level of trade that takes place between the UK and UAE this new service is set to grow from strength to strength in the comming months, and we look forward to further strengthening our partnership with CSS Abu Dhabi,” added Chris Goodfellow, Director, Locker Freight.
Known as the luxury capital of Europe, CSS hopes to target the luxury segment of the Italian economy such as designer Jewelry, clothes, accessories, ceramics, marbles, tiles, home appliances and household items like luxuries furnitures with the direct console offering. In order to make this successful CSS Abu Dhabi has partnered with COMBI LINE, a leading Console Service provider. “This will be a unique offering to both customers in the United Arab Emirates and Italy, it will allow faster transit times, and even faster processing, we look forward to working with the team at CSS Abu Dhabi in making this a success,” added Massimo da Vero, LCL Export Manager, Combi Line International S.p.A
Pharmaceutical companies around the world rely on us for customized, swift and safe delivery of their high-priority shipments. Due to the delicate nature of the cargo, pharmaceutical companies often look for a single window of operation to handle their requirement from end to end, thus ensuring single accountability and attention to detail from its logistics providers. We ensure the integrity and quality of sensitive, high-value pharmaceutical goods, offer distribution and controlled supply chain management programs.
“My aim is to reach out into the niche market audience with our new product “Pharma Logistics”, having identified this as a unique sector which has a potential growth opportunity for its business since the healthcare industry is experiencing a boost in the UAE over the past few years. By having the first mover advantage in this untapped sector, has meant that CSS Abu Dhabi has closely monitored and researched all aspects of Pharma logistics and, given their global expertise in the field of logistics, will be an invaluable asset to the pharmaceutical industry in this field. With a keen focus on hospitals, medical supplies providers, medical equipment trading and pharmaceutical companies, CSS Pharma Logistics has set the stage to grow exponentially within this existing sector, which will further diverse its vast service portfolio and help to secure the future growth,” said Midhun George who is in charge of Pharma Logistics.
Palliative care is a multidisciplinary approach that focuses on relieving and preventing the suffering of patients. This holistic approach allows the palliative care team to address physical, emotional, spiritual and social concerns that arise with advanced illnesses.
The two centers jointly organized a meeting of minds at the Dubai World Trade Centre on June 20, 2014 to share the suffering of the sick. Renowned Indian classical dancer and world-famous choreographer Mallika Sarabhai, who is also a social activist and director of the Darpana Academy of Performing Arts, presented a mesmerizing show to make the evening a memorable event.
“Flexible tanks” or “Flexitanks” are a kind of storage equipment for liquids such as water, oil, wines etc. Compared to steel tanks or drums, flexible tanks have many advantages, including lighter weight and being rustproof, foldable, and quicker and easier to set up. With the same capacity, a flexible tank may have just 10% of a steel tank’s weight. The disadvantages of flexible tanks include lower durability and shorter longevity.
Initially Flexitanks were designed on the basis that they would be for multi-trip use but these were soon replaced by single trip Flexitank. Though Flexitanks have been in vogue for over 20 years, their popularity have grown by leaps and bound in the recent past. A Flexitank is a bladder that is designed to fit inside a 20ft general freight container, known to carry products from portable water, and liquids like wine and fruit juices or concentrates to paints, oils, non – hazardous chemicals, latex, etc.
It’s jokingly said some airlines have become so focused on getting more money from passengers, using add-ons to the basic fare that soon we’ll be charged for emotional baggage. This idea might make you chuckle but the chances are your flying routine follows an excitable pattern. The somewhat unbelievable concept of being enclosed in a pressurised metal tube, flying 40,000ft above the earth, hurtling along at 500 miles an hour triggers all sorts of emotions. This usually means that our flying routine, that others make look so easy-going, triggers lots of emotion. But we are not as alone as we think. If your friends do any of the following, they are with you in: –