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Dear reader

Welcome to the last FREJA newsletter in 2021.

As we have kicked off the last month of the year, we look back at 2021 as a year influenced by COVID-19, changed conditions for the transport industry, large deviations in transport volumes, and lack of components and raw materials. Especially, the road sector is influenced by increasing individual protectionism and changed conditions in various countries, which have had comprehensive consequences and set pressure on the supply chain in Europe and the rest of the world. Likewise, the sea and air sectors have experienced a severe lack of capacity.

In FREJA, we have also faced problems because of COVID-19 and the related challenges concerning the security of supply at the national as well as the international markets. Our competent employees have had a constant focus on readjusting and adapting to the situation. Therefore, we have been able to maintain the supply chain and service our customers in the best way possible.

In 2021, FREJA and SDK merged, and we are now in a position where all our 1300 committed employees give us the best conditions to service international and national transport and logistics markets.

In 2022, we will focus once again on environmental and climate-friendly transports. In the last edition of our FREJA newsletter, we explained how we test alternative fuels, and in this newsletter, we have an article about our unaccompanied transports and the use of rail freight in the Nordic countries.

I thank you for your cooperation and trust in FREJA during 2021 and look forward to continuing our cooperation in 2022.

On behalf of FREJA Transport & Logistics A/S, I wish all our readers a very merry Christmas and a happy New Year.

BESTSELLER expands the partnership with FREJA on HVO biodiesel trucks from Poland to Belgium and The Netherlands

Since the 14^th of October, 2021, FREJA has been using HVO biodiesel on truck movements from Poland to Belgium and The Netherlands for the Danish family-owned clothing and accessories company, BESTSELLER. BESTSELLER employs more than 15,000 people in 38 countries working for more than 20 known fashion brands such as JACK & JONES, VERO MODA, VILA, and many more.

The decision to implement more environmentally-friendly routes is based on BESTSELLER’s ambitious Fashion FWD strategy, which aims at making sustainability central to the way of doing business.

“In a market facing severe conditions like lack of drivers and high demand for external hauliers, it was a must-do to inhouse these transports in order to allow ourselves to drive with alternative fuels like biodiesel. We are very pleased about this sustainable solution with FREJA, who has been a trusted partner throughout the years. We are looking forward to further expanding the use of HVO with FREJA on daily departures to the Nordics from January 2022”, says Anders Frost Nygård, E-Commerce Distribution/Carrier Manager at BESTSELLER.

What is biodiesel?

There are different types of biodiesel, but overall, they can be categorized into first- and second-generation biodiesel. B100 is first-generation biodiesel that comes from common feedstocks (primarily rapeseed crops), and it provides up to 60% CO₂e reduction. HVO (Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil), on the other hand, is second-generation biodiesel produced from waste products (e.g. used cooking oil), and it can provide up to a 90% reduction in CO₂e. These types of biodiesels are both considered climate-neutral in the combustion phase, but the emissions that come from processing the biodegradable products into fuel cannot be completely reduced, however, they are limited.

Long-term and trusted partnership

At FREJA, we are always looking for sustainable and environmentally-friendly transport solutions, and we are very positive about expanding our collaboration with BESTSELLER. We want to develop together with our customers and try out new types of sustainable alternatives to diesel that benefit the environment, but we cannot do it alone. A green transition comes with increased costs, so it is important with partners who are willing to invest in this type of fuel.

“Our partnership with BESTSELLER is unique, and this project has become a reality because they are willing to invest in sustainable fuel. For this specific collaboration with BESTSELLER, we have chosen to use our own trucks to gain valuable knowledge on HVO biodiesel. By using our own trucks, we can measure the consumption, service intervals, etc., and we are certain that HVO is always used”, says FREJA’s Chairman of the board Poland and Regional Director South Denmark, Torben Mortensen.

FREJA repacks more than 1000 gift boxes for Pierre Fabre just in time for Christmas

When the French company Pierre Fabre needed to get their gift boxes ready for the 2021 Christmas shopping, FREJA was ready with a helping hand.

Pierre Fabre was founded in 1951 and is a French company that makes pharmaceutical and dermo-cosmetic products, which they distribute to pharmacies, dermatologists, and hospitals. Since 2017, Pierre Fabre and FREJA have engaged in a close partnership. We carry out various logistics tasks such as repacking and re-labeling their products in Scandinavia, and we do ongoing optimizations of their logistics flows.

Most recently, Pierre Fabre asked for a repackaging task of 1320 gift boxes for the Christmas shopping in Norway, and naturally, we accepted this task. FREJA lined up with a team and got the job done in a short time, so the gift boxes could be distributed to the pharmacies in Norway and be ready to be placed under the Christmas trees in the Norwegian living rooms.

“It means a lot to us that a company of Pierre Fabre's caliber chooses to use FREJA as a logistics partner. We appreciate the close collaboration we have established with Pierre Fabre, and we are happy that we could help with this task”, says FREJA’s Logistics & Healthcare Director, Morten Bruun-Kristensen.

This job is one of many special tasks we perform for Pierre Fabre and other companies, and we are also ready to help your company. If you want to know more about our Pharma & Healthcare logistics services, you are always welcome to reach out to Morten Bruun-Kristensen.

Environmental- and climate-friendly transport has been a focus area in FREJA for a long time

Over many years and with great success, FREJA has used unaccompanied transports for our services between Denmark-Finland and Denmark-Norway. Since 2019, it has also been a highly used tool for the route to and from Sweden. The first destination in Sweden was the route between Jutland and Skaane, where there is much inter-state trade.

Unaccompanied transports mean that a Danish truck collects a consignment from a Danish customer and brings the trailer to the harbor. At the harbor, the driver can then connect another trailer which he drives to the Danish recipient. Likewise, this is done in Sweden, where Swedish hauliers and drivers bring trailers between the ferry and the recipient or shipper. The delivery time is short because there are departures from both sides twice a day.

The advantages of this kind of transports are many. We avoid having a large number of trucks passing Funen and Zealand, which helps reduce the massive traffic on our roads. The solution also has a green profile because many highway kilometers are replaced by consolidated transports by ferry via Kattegat. An additional advantage is that a driver can handle 4-5 loads per day. Lack of drivers is a great challenge right now because many drivers choose to leave the transport industry in favor of jobs with more normal working hours.

Over the years, FREJA has added more routes to the unaccompanied traffics, and now we also have a solution where we load trailers on trains at the destination Taulov-Katrineholm. Both terminals are located strategically well. Taulov is a logistics hub in Denmark, and the terminal in Katrineholm is located in Mälardalen, where you have easy access to Ørebro, Eskilstuna, and Stockholm. This route offers three departures per week. The railway is electrified, and as an example on the route between Kolding and Ørebro, you will be able to have a Co2 reduction of up to 80% compared to traditional road transport.

The most recent offer is a combined solution to Oslo, Norway. The trailers are sent by ship from Grenaa to Halmstad. Directly at the harbor terminal, the trailers are loaded onto trains which takes them to a terminal in Oslo, where a truck then brings the trailer to the recipient. The solution is brand new, and we have great expectations to offer this green solution with constant capacity.

FREJA offers to calculate the Co2 emission for various solutions so that you can consider the emission before making your solution. You can also try our online Co2 calculator and see the Co2 emissions from your transports with FREJA.

FREJA Transport & Logistics A/S strengthens its position in Norway with the acquisition of Thoresen Transport AS

As of October 1st, 2021, the Danish logistics operator FREJA Transport & Logistics A/S acquired 80% of the Norwegian company Thoresen Transport AS. FREJA is part of the international group United Shipping & Trading Company (USTC), and the acquisition strengthens the group’s position as one of the leading companies in the Nordic transport market.

Thoresen Transport has had a positive development for many years and is recognized for its good customer service and high quality. In the current financial year, a turnover of a minimum of 135 million NOK is expected.

“We have been looking for the right partner for a long time, and when the opportunity arose to acquire the majority stake of Thoresen Transport, it was quite an easy decision. With the acquisition, we are now ready to deliver even better service to our customers through higher quality and a broader portfolio. There is no doubt that their customer segments fit perfectly into FREJA’s Norwegian business”, says Ulrik Rasmussen, Group CEO of FREJA Transport & Logistics Holding A/S.

Thoresen Transport is a well-established transport and forwarding company in Larvik, which was founded in 1982 by the current owner and founder Lars Thoresen and his brother Knut Thoresen. The company currently has 25 well-qualified employees working with national and international transport, container transport, and customs/forwarding. Following the acquisition, Lars Thoresen will continue as head of Thoresen Transport, which will have its office, warehouse, and terminal facilities at the current central location at Larvik Harbor.

“Since we founded the company, it has been our ambition to create growth and expand our business areas. I am very proud and happy that Thoresen Transport from now on will be part of FREJA as we have collaborated for the past nine years in Vestfold, Buskerud, and Telemark. We have full confidence that the culture and the strong values that characterizes the company will continue, even with a new main shareholder”, says Lars Thoresen, the current owner of Thoresen Transport.

Focusing on growth going forward

FREJA Transport & Logistics looks forward to the new collaboration and emphasizes that the growth ambitions have not been reached with this acquisition:

“We are constantly looking for good, well-operated companies that share the same values as us and can help us meet our long-term goals. Therefore, this acquisition is a natural step towards developing FREJA and our growth strategy”, says Ulrik Rasmussen.

Lars Thoresen will continue to hold the remaining 20% of the shares in Thoresen Transport, and the company will keep the name Thoresen Transport AS.

The agreement is subject to approval by the relevant competition authorities. The transaction price will not be disclosed.

Read in Swedish

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.