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Welcome to FREJA's second newsletter for 2023! In this edition, we invite you to explore our exciting world of transportation and logistics, where sustainability and environmental awareness are playing an increasingly significant role.

As the importance of sustainability and environmental issues continues to grow, we are witnessing a rising trend in the introduction of more transport fees. In this newsletter, we will delve into the upcoming fees and their impact on transportation costs.

We would like to emphasize the importance of considering cargo insurance. NSAB regulations have their limitations, and it is wise to contemplate the need for cargo insurance before the actual transportation begins. Take a look at our newsletter to learn how FREJA can support you in this matter.

Furthermore, we are pleased to announce that our new terminal and logistics facility is taking shape just outside Jönköping. Located just a stone's throw from the E4 highway in Torsvik, we are constructing an impressive facility spanning 20,000 square meters, with planned occupancy in spring 2024. We look forward to sharing more about this exciting project in future updates!

Morten Dreyer

New transport fees: How do they affect the transport industry and, consequently, our customers?

In a time when global sustainability and environmental considerations play a crucial role, we are witnessing a growing trend where authorities introduce transport fees as a means to regulate and shape the transportation industry. These fees can potentially have far-reaching consequences for companies and stakeholders within the transportation sector, and thus, for our customers who will face increased costs. In the following sections, we summarize some of the known fees that the transportation industry will be subject to in the future, the increase in German Maut fees (German road tolls), as well as maritime transport and ferry fees within the Emissions Trading System (ETS) 2024, and how they may impact the transportation industry.

Increase in German Maut fees (road tolls): Impact on international road transport

Germany's decision to raise road tolls by nearly doubling the fee per kilometer from December 1, 2023, will have a significant impact on the cost structure of international transport to and from Germany, as well as transit through Germany. For businesses, this will result in increased shipping costs.

ETS 2024 Environmental Fee: Maritime transport and ferries

The new guidelines for the Emissions Trading System (ETS) 2024 will have a direct impact on maritime transport and ferries. In the future, companies will be required to invest in CO2 allowances that will reflect their CO2 emissions. These allowances will be traded on a commodity exchange. This change is aimed at driving the transportation industry towards more sustainable practices and promoting investments in greener technology, particularly in the context of maritime transport and ferries. Fluctuations in the prices of these CO2 allowances could potentially result in rising costs for these modes of transportation from 2024 onwards.

The ETS will be implemented gradually, with vessels having to report 40% of their CO2 emissions in 2024, increasing to 70% in 2025, and finally reaching 100% in 2026.

New terminal and logistics building in Jönköping

The construction of our new logistics property and terminal is progressing as planned, and we anticipate a preliminary move-in date in May 2024. With this investment in the Jönköping logistics hub, our capacity will quadruple. We are already experiencing significant interest in our services, and we are in several exciting discussions with companies looking forward to collaborating with FREJA in the future.

When we move in, we will have access to an impressive 5,000 square meters of cross-docking and 14,300 square meters of contract logistics. Our planned layout with racking will have a capacity 17,500 pallets.

See pictures from the construction site. 

Feel free to reach out to FREJA's Head of Logistics, Niclas Andersson, if you have any questions or concerns regarding the expansion in Jönköping.

Are your goods properly insured during transportation?

The short answer is: No, unless you have taken out cargo or transport insurance that covers your goods while they are in transit. Has your company taken out product or transport insurance?

As a freight forwarder, we naturally take responsibility for your goods while they are in our care. This responsibility is governed by NSAB 2015 and by the international legislation applicable to the various modes of transportation. What they have in common is that the forwarder's liability for damages is limited in relation to the losses that the shipper often actually incurs when, on rare occasions, there is a transport damage or the goods are lost during transport.

This is not just about the well-known transport legal limitations of 8.33 SDR (approximately 115 SEK) per kg for road transportation and 2 SDR (approximately 28 SEK) per kg for sea transportation. For example, the forwarder is not directly responsible for repair costs or liable for the shipper's often significant expenses for the assistance of a surveyor or similar to calculate and document a damage claim. And finally, there are a number of cases where the forwarder is completely exempt from liability for damage or loss of goods.

In fact, it is our experience that our customers, in cases of damage and loss, where they receive compensation directly from the forwarder, can be left with a greater or lesser cost.

However, we can help you avoid such losses to a large extent by offering you the option to take out product insurance through us for the transports we carry out for you.

We arrange product insurance for each individual shipment, so we can also assist you with insurance for individual shipments that, for one reason or another, are not covered by your existing product insurance coverage.

Please contact your contact person at FREJA if you have questions or would like further guidance on how we can help you with product insurance.

Maximize your logistics with Dedicated Solutions

In a world where time is money and efficiency is crucial, it's essential to have reliable partners who can deliver according to your needs. At FREJA, we have successfully created an unbeatable concept to provide you with the most efficient and reliable logistics solution for your projects. We understand the importance of keeping the project's schedule. With Dedicated Solutions, we can offer you fixed schedules, and your cargo will never come to a standstill until it reaches your end customer. We take care of the entire logistics chain on your behalf. From customs clearance to receiving containers at our terminals for unloading and loading, everything is done with unparalleled precision. From the container to the trailer and then directly to your customer – we handle it for you, allowing you to focus on driving your project forward. Regardless of the scope and mode of transportation, we tailor a solution just for you.

Our terminal in Jönköping offers a range of services, including storage, picking, cross-docking, and more. We are ready to adapt our services to meet your specific needs, no matter how complex they may be.

Don't waste any more time and energy dealing with logistics problems. Let us take care of everything for you. Contact us today to start maximizing your logistics and ensure smooth project deliveries every time.

At the moment we see that Polish farmers establish blockades on nearly all highways in Poland and borders with Germany, Czech Republic, Slovakia and Ukraine.

The protests are caused by an attempt to block the new EU regulation - The European Green Deal.

Unfortunately, this causes delays and problems in delivering on time.

Please contact your usual contact person in FREJA for more information.

In connection with the Chinese New Year, which takes place from January 31 to February 6, 2022, we bring some useful information for our customers.

Most factories close one week before and up to 1-3 weeks after the Chinese New Year, as it is common for Chinese people to travel home to their families.

If you are importing from China, please note the following:

• Check the delivery times of the factories to make sure that most orders are shipped well in advance of the Chinese New Year.
• Make a plan with your freight forwarder as the period affects the schedules and the available capacity.
• Check the opening hours of your factory and when they can deliver again after the holiday period has ended.

Impact on freight rates

During this period, you might experience a significant price increase. From December, shipping prices usually increase due to the rising demand. Furthermore, because of the ongoing pandemic and COVID-19 mutations, the logistics supply is expected to be low due to restrictions worldwide. E.g., we still experience ports closing down without any notice from day to day, which influences the flow and the price.

Shipping tips for the Chinese New Year

1. Make a delivery plan in advance with suppliers and freight forwarders.
2. Try to avoid orders at short notice.
3. Book your transports well in advance – preferably 2-3 weeks before departure for sea freight.
4. Terminals and warehouses are congested in the weeks before the Chinese New Year, so make sure to check the sailing plans if you have LCL movements.
5. Air freight and rail transport are alternatives for urgent deliveries. However, flights must be scheduled a few weeks in advance.
6. Check everything again and get the schedule confirmed with everyone involved in the pre-holiday period.

If you have any questions about this, please feel free to contact your local FREJAN.

In April 2017, FREJA secured a project of two transformers + accessories (incl. an oil tank) to be sent from China to Denmark. The transformers have a weight of 56 tons each. In May the transformers and accessories started their journey from China and end June they arrived in Denmark.

The cargo has been on storage in Aarhus before delivery to the jobsite in the beginning of July. The accessories were transported into FREJA's warehouse and have been delivered afterwards according to client's request per order.

During the process, FREJA was present at port and at jobsite to ensure a smooth operation. FREJA China and FREJA Denmark have handled the shipment with care and to the customer's satisfaction.

Holland has announced a lockdown starting 15 December 2020 and lasting until 19 January 2021. Germany has announced a lockdown starting 16 December 2020 and lasting until 10 January 2021.

Because of these lockdown, we kindly ask our customers to assure that customers/suppliers in Holland and Germany will stay open for receipt of goods or collection before FREJA initiate collection or delivery.

So far, price agreements are still valid to the extend we are able to carry out delivery and collection and as long as the distribution systems still function as usual.

However, it is only essential businesses which are allowed to stay open during the lockdown in Holland and Germany. Examples of businesses which stay open are supermarkets, grocery shops, transport- and logistics companies, pharmacies, opticians, doctors and health services.

In case FREJA experiences problems with already booked or initiated transports, which we will not be able to collect or deliver as planned, we will have to invoice the customer any extra costs.

If you have any questions, please contact your normal contact person in FREJA.