The 1st of May, 2024, FREJA will open a new environmentally certified logistics center on 20,000 m² in Jönköping, Sweden.
The expansion will ensure shorter transit times across the Nordic countries and Europe, including our national last-mile setup in Sweden.
The new logistics center provides access to 5,000 m² for cross-docking, 14,300 m² for contract logistics, and can accommodate 17,500 pallets.
Watch videos from the construction here
Dear reader
Welcome to FREJA’s third newsletter in 2021 in which we want to share with you what is happening in our part of the transport and logistics business.
FREJA wants to be greener and we are doing trials with alternative fuels in cooperation with chosen clients and hauliers. There is no agreement in the EU countries on which alternative fuels to invest in and research is done on several fronts. Read our article about alternative fuels and our considerations on environmental considerations.
In this newsletter we also give you an article about the EU Mobility Package which regulates the working conditions for drivers and the costs this adds to the transporter.
At FREJA, we advise our clients to invest in customer/supplier relationships that support and absorb the challenges on your way. FREJA’s 4PL Services can help your company. We have digital tools to calculate models to support your supply chain. Read more about this in on of our articles.
In the more entertaining part of the scale we give you a greeting from the golf event “Challenge Tour” where FREJA mid-August participated in a ProAm tournament in Esbjerg. A victorious day – in the eyes of FREJA.
Enjoy reading
The EU Mobility Package sets the working conditions for truck drivers, but unfortunately, it also leads to increased costs
After several years of negotiations, the EU passed the so-called Mobility Package in July 2020. The EU Mobility Package sets the standards for truck drivers’ salaries and working conditions. Some parts of the Mobility Package have been implemented, while others will become effective gradually during the following years.
We find it positive that the EU creates common regulations regarding working conditions for drivers, but unfortunately, tightening the regulations increases our costs. The new regulations mean that drivers are entitled to return to their home country every fourth week, and therefore, the transports must be planned accordingly. Furthermore, the vehicle itself must return to the company’s registration address every eight weeks. The travel costs related to the driver’s return to his home country must be covered by the employer.
Regarding resting related to the rules of driving and resting times, all rests lasting more than 45 hours must be held outside the truck, and it is required to have documentation for these rests. Finally, it is a requirement that the drivers are paid the same as national drivers in the country in which they drive.
The above has resulted in several questions from FREJA’s customers if we are able to price the increased costs in relation to the implementation of the Mobility Package. However, we are not able to do so presently. It is highly uncertain how many drivers and hauliers will choose to leave the transport industry because of the increased requirements of returning to their home country, the salary, and the increased administration. We will wait and see what will happen and how the situation develops over the coming months and years.
Yes to a green transition, but it requires agreement in the EU on alternative fuels
FREJA wants to be greener, but it seems to be a bigger challenge than expected due to divergent taxes and a pressured market.
There is no agreement in the EU countries on which alternative fuels to invest in. Some countries want to focus on biodiesel, other countries on gas, and then there are those countries that have not yet made up their mind. Limited refueling options and large price differences, and the fact that some truck manufacturers require shorter service intervals for B100 diesel, make it difficult for hauliers to be a part of the green transition.
FREJA is doing trials in collaboration with a few customers and hauliers on the B100. This is only a reality in cases where the infrastructure allows it, and when there is a customer who wants to pay for the additional cost it gives our haulier.
FREJA has initiatives underway with the HVO100 on a couple of our own trucks. The experiment will take place by refueling in Sweden, as it will be impossible to refuel HVO100 in Denmark due to the large charges.
Sustainable alternatives
HVO (Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil) is second-generation biodiesel. HVO100 can provide up to a 90% reduction in CO2. B100 is first-generation biodiesel and provides up to 60% CO2 reduction. B100 comes primarily from rapeseed crops.
Biogas is also an environmentally friendly alternative. CBG (compressed biogas) has a relatively short operating radius, making it unsuitable for international transport and dependent on land, as there are only limited refueling stations.
LBG (liquid biogas), which could be an alternative, has even fewer options for refueling and is financially impossible for our hauliers.
Like most of our colleagues in the industry, these few alternative trials only happen in limited driving areas and in collaboration with customers, who are willing to pay for the costs. Many hope that the hydrogen solution will be the sustainable alternative to diesel and therefore also have expectations that it will be economically viable, but there are no real facts on the table yet about the economy. It requires more than just political declarations of intent - it requires real action and common guidelines across the EU.
While we wait for the right sustainable alternative, we continue to do what we can, which is to focus on increasing our overall unloading rate as well as reducing the number of miles driven.
New times requires new measures for handling the supply chain
During the pandemic, we have faced multiple factors that have increased complexity and constrained our operating model in a historically inefficient manner, shifting from a lean and responsive supply to a “just get the goods moving, we can sell anything” perspective.
The challenges are many. On a global scale, material scarcity is a reality, as insufficient inputs have been a concern since the pandemic began, due to an abrupt rise in consumer demand like never before, resulting in increased costs.
Capacity has been challenged at all facilities within mining, production, warehousing, and transportation, which are all elements of the supply chain that create bottlenecks and exploding cost levels.
Professionals have had to reconsider
- Difficult demand forecasting
- Port congestion
- Changing consumer attitudes
And yet still develop and lead change in the right strategic direction while being (very) busy getting the goods available to buy off the shelf.
How are you managing the supply chain projects during the pandemic, and do you have the time to run optimizations and gain profits? If the demand flips once again, how do you cope with the bull-whip effect that has reduced supply chain efficiency for ages? Today, the theory is more relevant than ever as purchasers buy whatever they can get hold of in large quantities for inventory, or accepting prolonged lead time in planning, production, and transportation services.
Digital tools are hailed as the solution to many challenges, but how do you deploy them into your supply chain department?
At FREJA, we advise our clients to invest in customer/supplier relationships that support and absorb the challenges on your way. FREJA’s 4PL Services can help your company by building a shared forecasting model to reduce the bull-whip effect in your supply chain. Our 4PL specialists will also code the mathematical model that tells you who to source material from and where to store your products to keep cost at a minimum. Thereby, you are aware of the optimum supply chain and this allows you to wind more market shares and service the market with the required flexibility and lead time.
Read our case about mathematical modelling to get a glimpse of what coding of your supply chain is really about and how that may reduce your costs by 5,9% and improve your responsiveness. Introducing mathematical modelling to be a part of your team makes unmanageable decisions manageable. Imagine millions of combinations and thousands of parameters. How can the human brain manage such complexity? In a winning supply chain, you need to know your best-case options to make the best decisions. That is served by FREJA.
| What is the Bullwhip effect? The bullwhip-effect describes the phenomenon, where the customer’s change in demand effects the whole supply chain to a point, where the variance in demand, becomes greater than the actual sales. This causes the manufacturer to increase its production without any increment in the actual sales at the retailer. This effect causes more goods on stock, less accurate forecast and a more expensive operation for all involved parties. This can be prevented with information-sharing (forecast sharing). |
Top class golf experiences at ‘Made in Esbjerg Challenge presented by FREJA and TotalEnergies’
From August 11-14, the Challenge Tour tournament ‘Made in Esbjerg Challenge presented by FREJA and TotalEnergies’ took place. In this connection, FREJA had the pleasure of inviting 24 customers and business associates to participate in the Pro-Am the day before the tournament start. FREJA lined up with 12 teams and enjoyed an unforgettable day at the golf course, where the atmosphere was top-notch, and the professionals shared their best golf advice.
A total of 26 teams participated in the Pro-Am, and there was a prize for the six best teams. FREJA ended up having four teams in the top six, including a well-deserved first place. It was FREJA's Team 2 with Lars Wejrup from Søms A/S, Michael Pedersen from Give Steel A/S, Kasper Hansen from FREJA, and the Italian professional golfer, Matteo Manassero, who took home the victory.
We appreciate all the positive feedback we have received, and we would like to thank everyone who participated and helped make this day memorable. We look forward to many more exciting golf experiences in the future.
Read some of the positive feedback from our customers here:
Dear FREJA,
We would like to thank you for a fantastic day at the golf course at the Challenge Tour & Pro-Am in Esbjerg. The golf course was like never seen before, the weather was great, and we got some good scores. It is always a pleasure to feel the atmosphere at these events, and we especially enjoy the good dialogue with the pro. It provides an opportunity to gain direct insight into life as a pro and the challenges they face daily. As the pro said, there is a reason it is called "Challenge Tour".
It is a great way to create relations that goes beyond the daily collaboration, and we appreciate the effort FREJA puts into these events.
Scandi-Roc ApS
Jes Rasmussen & Thomas Jacobsen
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Dear FREJA,
We had a super good day in good company. It is always nice to meet new people and feel the good spirit from the staff at FREJA.
Our pro was a very likable person, and I think he gave a lot of himself to us as a team.
All in all, a lovely day with a great result. Thanks to Kasper Hansen/FREJA, Michael Pedersen/Give Steel, and our pro, Matteo Manassero.
Søms A/S
Lars Wejrup
If you wish to join a FREJA team in the future, you are welcome to contact Franz Andersen or Kenneth Christensen.
The employers' association and the labor union within the forest industry have now come to agreement and the strike in Finland has ended.
This means that transports to and from Finland are back to normal.
4-10-24
A temporary agreement has been reached between ILA and USMX, which means that the dockworkers will resume work immediately. The agreement includes a 62% salary increase over the next six years, but there are still other contractual terms that need to be negotiated. The strike is therefore temporarily postponed until January 15, 2025, and negotiations will continue until then. FREJA will continuously monitor how the negotiations between ILA and USMX develop, so we can best prepare our customers with alternative solutions in case of a new strike in January. Contact your representative at FREJA if you need assistance and advice on your shipping options to/from the USA.
2-10-24
Several carriers have declared force majeure and are adding port congestion surcharges. Affected customers will be contacted directly. We are continuously working to find the best solutions.
1-10-24
On October 1, approximately 45,000 dockworkers in up to 36 cities on the U.S. East Coast initiated a widespread strike. The strike is happening because the dockworkers' union, the International Longshoremen’s Association (ILA), and the employer association, United States Maritime Alliance, Ltd. (USMX), couldn't agree on a new contract.
The ports are now closed, and with each passing day, the effects of the strike will intensify. We can expect ship congestion in the ports, leading to significant delays. The extent of the strike's consequences largely depends on its duration, but it is still too early to predict specific outcomes.
Some carriers have already announced price increases, and we anticipate air freight prices to rise as well due to increased demand. We encourage our customers to plan their shipments well in advance and consider alternative shipping options. At FREJA, we are working hard to find alternative solutions and routes, such as via the U.S. West Coast or Canada, to minimize the impact on our customers and ensure continuity in the supply chain.
Please reach out to your local contact person at FREJA if you have any questions or need assistance with your shipments to/from the USA.
We are closely monitoring the situation and will keep you updated.
David Nielsen
Head of Business Development Air & Ocean
+45 5234 5457
dni@freja.com
How can we help you?
12.06.25
The Swedish Dockworkers’ Union has announced further strike notices at Swedish ports if no new agreement is reached. A new mediation session is scheduled for June 12.
The following announced actions apply specifically to the Gothenburg RoRo terminal:
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Strike on June 19: from 10:45 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
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Strike on June 22: from 12:00 a.m. until 12:00 a.m. on June 24.
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Overtime and extra time blockade: from 12:00 a.m. on June 20 until 12:00 a.m. on June 24.
More information about the strike and the additional affected ports can be found via Transportföretagen (in Swedish).
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27.05.25
The conflict between the Swedish Dockworkers' Union and the Ports of Sweden is not yet over. The strike continues across the country until a new agreement is signed.
The measures announced below are specific to the Gothenburg RoRo port: From today until Sunday, June 1, there is a temporary pause in the strike between the Swedish Dockworkers' Union and the Ports of Sweden in the Gothenburg port. This means that we can expect somewhat normal operations until Sunday at 4:00 PM when the Dockworkers' Union has announced a new strike until June 3 at 11:00 PM.
However, we want to make you aware that Ascension Day falls on Thursday, May 29, with limited port operations.
We thank you for your patience and understanding during these times.
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21.05.2025
Strike called off for certain dock workers.
An agreement was signed between Sveriges Hamnar and the Transport union on Tuesday evening. However, the strike notice from the Dockworkers’ Union remains in effect.
We have some cancelled departures for the remainder of the week. Please contact your FREJA representative for information specific to your shipments.
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We want to inform our customers about a strike notice for Swedish ports that may affect our traffic. The strike is planned to start on May 21 and may impact transport to and from Germany, the UK, Ireland, and via Ghent to the Benelux, France, Spain, and Portugal.
The Swedish Transport Workers' Union and the Swedish Dockworkers' Union have submitted a strike notice. The Dockworkers' Union plans a full strike on May 21 from 12:00 PM to 6:00 PM and a longer strike from May 22 to May 26. The Transport Workers' Union has announced a blockade from May 21 and possible actions in various ports from May 30 to June 15.
These actions may affect import and export flows, particularly via the Gothenburg RoRo port. In the event of a strike, we can expect delays and/or need to reroute our paths, which may lead to additional costs.
We thank you for your understanding and will keep you updated on the situation here on our website.
Please contact your usual FREJA contact for questions and inquiries.
David Nielsen
Head of Business Development Air & Ocean
+45 5234 5457
dni@freja.com
Strict collective bargaining is underway in key sectors for Finnish exports and imports.
- We are closely monitoring the situation and doing our best to anticipate the impact on international transport. By law, industrial action must be announced at least two weeks before it starts. For our customers, the emphasis is now on being on the road early, so it pays to place transport orders well in advance," says Matti Urmas, Managing Director of FREJA Transport & Logistics Oy.
The stevedoring sector is already subject to an overtime ban issued by the Transport Workers' Federation (AKT), which came into force on 1 February.
- The main impact of the overtime ban is on weekends, so there are no major delays in transport in the foreseeable future. For up-to-date information on the status of your shipment, please contact your contact person. Of course, it would be desirable for all sectors to reach an agreement without industrial action.
Your FREJA contact will tell you the status of your shipment
Finnlines announced on Monday 30 January that if the overtime ban comes into force and no agreement is reached, work in ports will be suspended between 15.30 on Saturday and 06.45 on Monday. The Sunday departure from Helsinki to Travemünde at 15.00 and the Monday departure from Travemünde to Helsinki at 2.00 will be cancelled. According to Finnlines, there will be other changes to the timetable. These changes will cause congestion in the port, and you should be prepared for delays in unloading and loading times.
AKT strikes will start on Wednesday 15 February if no agreement is reached
On Tuesday 31 January, the AKT has issued a strike warning to the stevedoring sector, in addition to the current overtime ban.
Below are the strike timetables if the strikes go ahead.
According to the AKT, a total of around 9 000 workers will be affected.
AKT strike timetables
- Strike in the stevedoring sector from 15 February at 06.00 until further notice: If the strike starts, it will cover all port operations, including unloading, loading, reception and release of units.
- Trucking strike 15.2. from 00.00 to 21.2. from 24.00
- Tanker and oil products strike 15.2. 00.00-21.2. 24.00
- Terminal sector strike 15.2. 06.00-22.2. 06.00
Page on the state of the negotiations maintained by the AKT.
Finnlines will not transport trucks without a driver during the strike
Finnlines announced on Monday that units without drivers will not be loaded at all in the event of a strike. The HansaLink line between Helsinki and Travemünde will operate as scheduled, but will only transport trucks with a driver.
If no agreement can be reached during Monday, Finnlines will not load trailers or other units without a driver, starting with the departure from Travemünde to Helsinki at 2.45 am on 14 February. Departure from Helsinki to Travemünde on 14 February at 16.15 will be loaded as normal. If a strike starts, only units with a driver will be loaded.
The Naantali-Kapellskär line (FinnLink) will operate as scheduled, but units without a driver will not be loaded.
Strike situation in other sectors
The PAM Service sector union has called off all industrial action after reaching an agreement on working conditions.
The Technology Industry and the Trade Union Pro reached an agreement on working conditions and the strike was suspended.
The Employees' Federation ERTO and the Trade Union Confederation Pro also reached an agreement on working conditions before the strike in the financial management sector started.
The website of the Office of the National Mediator provides comprehensive information on the bargaining situation in the various sectors, provided that the National Mediator is involved.
News updated 13.2. throughout at 15.15.
News updated throughout 1.2.2023 at 15.05.
News updated for the start date of the PAM warehouse strike on 3.2.2023 at 9.30 am.
The situation in the sea freight market is extraordinary these days. Due to the Covid-19 situation, purchase and consumption of goods have grown significantly, which causes a great demand for transportation throughout the world.
The given situation and the effects after the container ship, EVER GIVEN, blocked the Suez Canal for six days, hasn’t eased the situation. The ship blocked about 360 other ships going through the Suez Canal. The full extent of this is still uncertain. However, there is no doubt that this will cause further delays, and impact the situation in all main ports in Europe, since ships will arrive at the same time after queuing in the Suez Canal, hence challenges with the handling is to be expected.
There are already delays from before. We experience a lack of equipment, the normal flow for containers has been put out of play, and tight resources mean that ships are waiting for more than a week outside ports to be loaded and unloaded. This happens even though all ships that can sail have been taken into use.
Due to less productivity and rotation, the industry suffers cancellation and blank sailings, and an increase in the imbalance issues. We therefore expect a continued challenging situation for both imports and exports to/from Northern Europe.
We aim to do our utmost for you as our partner to solve the challenges in the best possible way. We will be in close contact with you and keep you updated regarding the development and possibilities. Even though we face a difficult situation, and costs will remain high, we fight for getting space on the vessels, and to help you move your goods.
Don’t hesitate to contact us and ask how we can help each other.
Despite all challenges, we will do everything we can to find solutions for your needs!
Please contact us for more information.
The employers’ organization and workers’ union within the forest and paper industry have still not reached an agreement. The strike started January 27 at 06:00 and has been notified to continue until Monday February 17 – unless the negotiating parties will reach an agreement sooner.
The transport volume out of Finland has been reduced considerably because of the strike and therefore affects the transport balance between Denmark and Finland and vice versa.
In case the strike is still going on Thursday January 30, FREJA will be compelled to introduce a temporary positioning fee at 22 % of the total transport costs on all consignments from Denmark to Finland. We regret these circumstances which are out of FREJA’s control. SLIXY
Should the strike escalate or ease off before the announced date, FREJA will give more information.
For further information about the strike or how it will affect you as a customer in FREJA, we kindly ask you to get in contact with your daily contact person.
A settlement was reached in the stevedoring strike of the Federation of Transport Workers (AKT) on on the evening of 1 March. The agreement reached will end all industrial action immediately and work will resume as soon as possible. However, at the latest, the stevedores must return to their normal shift starting on 4 March.
The strike started on 15 February.
– Although transport can now be carried out and stevedoring will return to normal when the stevedores return to work, it will unfortunately take time for the situation to return to normal. Supply chains are now in disarray due to the strike. It will take time to reorganise and find the best possible routing, says Matti Urmas, Managing Director of FREJA Finland.
Goods are in the ports waiting to be shipped and it takes time to ship the cargo.
– If there are uncertainties about your shipment, your own dedicated contact person is happy to help and tell the status of your transport.