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GMA Network
5 days ago
- Business
- GMA Network
DTI: Logistics firms 'signified' no rate hike amid San Juanico Bridge rehab
Logistics and freight companies have committed to not increase delivery rates amid mounting transportation costs due to the ongoing repair of the San Juanico Bridge, Trade Secretary Ma. Cristina Roque said Wednesday. 'We talked to them (logistics firms), and they already signified that they will not increase any price to move the goods from point A to point B. And they will have an aggressive approach on this,' Roque said at the sidelines of the launch of the Department of Trade and Industry's Supply Chain and Logistics Center in Makati City. The Trade chief said freight forwarders also committed to 'no price increase, while there is a problem in San Juanico Bridge.' In a chance interview with reporters, Fast Logistics CEO Manuel Onrejas Jr. said freight forwarders have seen 'double the cost for now' as their trucks cross the San Juanico Strait via roll-on/roll-off (RoRo) vessels while there is a weight limit for vehicles using the five-decade-old which is being repaired. 'We cannot absorb everything, we need to find ways to share the cost,' Onrejas said. 'The government should have backup plan through RoRo ferries. I think we need more RoRo ports, bigger vessels for RoRos,' he added. President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has issued Proclamation No. 920, placing Eastern Visayas under a state of calamity for a year, to give way for the repairs on San Juanico Bridge. Marcos said the state of calamity took effect on June 5 and may be lifted earlier or extended depending on the circumstances. The 2.16-kilometer San Juanico Bridge, one of the longest in the Philippines, links Samar and Leyte provinces in the Visayas. —VAL, GMA Integrated News
GMA Network
14-06-2025
- GMA Network
Luzon-Mindanao RoRo freight service launched
The first Roll-on/Roll-off (RoRo) service with a direct route connecting Luzon and Mindanao has been inaugurated, the Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) announced. In a news release, the PPA said the maiden voyage of MV 1018, a new Landing Craft Transport (LCT), was launched on June 12, coinciding with the 127th Independence Day. MV 1018 was the first RoRo service that sailed from Mindanao to Luzon without crossing Samar and Leyte. The PPA said the direct Luzon to Mindanao RoRo service was an alternative route that aims to ease the traffic build up of trucks lining at ports near the San Juanico Bridge, which currently being repaired. The MV 1018, owned and operated by Seen Sam Shipping Inc., measures 85 meters and has gross registered tonnage (GRT) na 2,024 metric tons. The vessel can carry 37 10-wheeler trucks and five six-wheeler vehicles. PPA said the service from Lipata Ferry Terminal in Surigao to Port of Bulan in Sorsogon could take up to 21 hours. The freight charges for the direct Luzon to Mindanao RoRo service are as follows: P18,000 for six-wheeler Bongo P30,000 for Canter, Elf, and forward trucks P44,000 for 20-footer trailers P115,000 for trailer trucks carrying heavy equipment —VAL, GMA Integrated News
The Star
12-06-2025
- General
- The Star
Reek of fly-tipping hits Hulu Langat
ILLEGAL dumping of rubbish is a problem with no end in Selangor's Kajang municipality. Kajang Municipal Council (MPKj) president Nazli Taib said that while hotspots like Bukit Mahkota Cheras, Sungai Purun and Sungai Serai were under close surveillance by the local council, catching illegal dumpers remained a cat-and-mouse game. Aside from these known illegal dumping sites in Kajang are pocket areas where contractors sneak in to dispose of waste. Nazli described efforts to shut down illegal dumping grounds in Kajang as an uphill struggle. 'If we close site A, they open site B. If we close site B, they open site C,' he said. Describing the persistent nature of the problem, he said monitoring was difficult as many dumping sites laid deep within forested areas on state or private land. One new dumping site has been discovered along the scenic Jalan Sungai Tekali in Hulu Langat. Lorries have been seen entering a dirt path off the main road, which leads to an illegal dump site on private land. Jalan Sungai Tekali, a favourite spot in the Klang Valley for road cyclists and mountain biking enthusiasts, offers breathtaking views. The road leads to Sungai Tekala Recreational Forest, a tranquil nature retreat known for its clear river waters, waterfalls and picnic spots. However, the area's pristine beauty has been plagued by an unpleasant odour, causing concern among residents, cyclists and nature lovers. Michael James, who lives in a nearby residential area, said the odour seemed to be coming from a plot of land along Jalan Sungai Tekali, and he had seen many lorries moving in and out of an access road. 'I use this road often for recreational purposes,' he said. 'It is a beautiful place, especially in the mornings and evenings. 'But lately, there is a bad smell. 'Besides activity on that land, there is nothing new happening in the area,' said James. Cyclists taking part in Bukit Antu Loop 2025, a national-level road bike championship on April 19 and 20, also got a whiff of the stench during their ride. Cyclist Dr Norhasmat Abdul Aziz said he was assailed by the bad smell and wondered where it emanated from. 'I am at Jalan Sungai Tekali almost every weekend and enjoy my ride because of the beautiful natural view. 'It is sad that there is a stench disrupting the otherwise great riding experience,' he said. Massive land clearing During a check, StarMetro witnessed lorries with roll-on, roll off (RoRo) bins moving in and out of the access road leading to a site barricaded with hoarding. Obscured by trees and foliage on both sides of the road, the illegal dumpsite is not clearly visible from Jalan Sungai Tekali. However, drone footage showed that a massive land area has been cleared for what appears to be an active fly-tipping site, with many lorries sighted on the compound. Nazli said the local council was aware of the illegal activity at the site. He said MPKj found ongoing illegal activities there during a check last month. To prevent lorries from accessing the site, MPKj dug a trench at the entrance in an attempt to block the entry of vehicles. However, this has proven futile, he said. Nazli said Hulu Langat District and Land Office was empowered by the National Land Code to confiscate the land as it was being used as a dumpsite. 'The land office can issue rectification notices and confiscate land if landowners fail to comply. 'Taxpayers' money cannot be used to reinstate private land. 'But once the land is government-owned, MPKj can allocate funds for cleanup, with possible government assistance,' he said when met at Menara MPKj in Kajang. Nazli said lorries were allowed to freely enter and exit land with individual titles, provided they were not trespassing and there were no complaints from landowners. However, he said MPKj would act based on complaints received. 'Public tip-offs help, but lack of photographic evidence makes action difficult. 'One of the methods that MPKj uses to control illegal dumping sites is by stationing enforcement officers at the entrance daily to prevent lorries from entering. 'But the method is not sustainable. 'MPKj has 150 enforcement officers to oversee the whole of Kajang, a 78,000ha area with 40% green lung,' he said. Nazli said landowners often claimed ignorance, saying that they were unaware of illegal activity on their land. He is aware, however, that some landowners allow rubbish dumping on their land for their own reasons. 'MPKj has been actively investigating complaints. 'What the council can do is confiscate the lorries involved in illegal dumping activities. 'Lorry owners will be slapped with a maximum compound of RM1,000 under Waste Collection, Removal and Disposal By-Laws 2007. 'MPKj also charges confiscation fees of RM5,500 each and the lorries will only be released after a month,' he said. He added that 35 lorries had been confiscated so far this year. Nazli said MPKj was looking forward to working together with the land office to tackle illegal dumping. Hulu Langat District and Land Office had yet to comment at press time. Some of the illegal dumping grounds that MPKj managed to close for good include sites located in Taman Universiti, Taman Pusara Twin Palms and Bukit Ampang. The local council sees Twin Palms as one of the greatest achievements in its battle against illegal dumping. Economy Ministry allocated RM2mil to rehabilitate the privately owned land, which was believed to have been used as an illegal dumping ground for more than a decade. The giant dumpsite caused great discomfort to nearby residents, especially Bukit Suria and Taman Taming Indah folk. StarMetro reached out to the state government for comments on addressing the ongoing illegal dumping of waste in Selangor but did not receive a response at press time. In a Bernama report on Feb 24 titled 'Hefty Fine and Jail Time Await Illegal Waste Offenders in Selangor', Selangor local government and tourism committee chairman Datuk Ng Suee Lim spoke of a dire need to strengthen waste management regulations to tackle illegal dumping. He had said that negotiations between the state and Federal government on ratifying Solid Waste and Public Cleansing Management Act 2007 (Act 672) in Selangor were still ongoing. 'If the Act was enforced, individuals involved in illegal waste disposal in Selangor could face fines of up to RM100,000 and a minimum of five years in prison,' he was reported as saying.
India Today
12-06-2025
- Automotive
- India Today
Skoda's day out: Kylaq, Slavia Monte Carlo, Kodiaq and beyond!
Our day began with the RoRo ferry from Mumbai's Princess Dock to Alibaug, which is approximately 100km from the financial capital's mainland to the island town. This journey usually takes around two hours by road, but thanks to the ferry, we were across in just an hour. The impressive Kodiaq lounge aboard the ferry served as a reminder of the Czech brand's presence in our country, which has been around in India for the past 25 years. Upon arrival at the Mandwa jetty port, we were treated to a compact and neatly designed tarmac course, which would serve as the appetiser. The Kylaq's compact dimensions make it an able handler. advertisementSkoda had prepared for us to take on said course, which included a handling section, moose test, acceleration-braking and slalom section to whet our appetite. After a demo lap from the instructors, it was first time to unleash the might-impressive Kylaq, which handled all sections with calm and ease. Sure, the 1.0-litre, three-cylinder TSI motor suffered from a slight lack of power under 2,000rpm, but it came to life beyond that and had well-contained body roll throughout. Its compact dimensions and attractive design language make it a tasty proposition in the sub-4m SUV segment in the country. The handling course included two right-handers and two left-handers, all of which had varying degrees of turn-in. advertisementNext up, there was a choice to be made. Either take the 1.5-litre, four-cylinder TSI-equipped Kushaq or Slavia for the same course. I opted to go for the sedan, simply because I've always had a soft corner for both the Virtus and Slavia. Also, it is quite a looker in its 'Monte Carlo' guise, finished in 'Tornado Red' with those additional mini side and front skirts. Nevertheless, Slavia also proved to be impressive around this mini-track of sorts. Its body roll felt more predictable, yet kept it tight in the corners, and the moose test, or the 'cow' test, in our country. The Kylaq held its own in the moose test, as well. Both the Kylaq and Slavia are testaments to Skoda's commitment to offering vehicles that feel premium, offer a good set of features, with an element of excitement. Ashish Gupta, brand director, Skoda Auto India, explained later in the day about Skoda's renewed commitment, which focuses on three key pillars - relevance, differentiation and trust. The first is to offer relevant products, which make sense for our market at different and accessible price points. The second is to have a clear path to distinguish it from the rest of the competition. And the third, and perhaps most crucial, is to improve the service experience and build a strong sense of community with the Skoda brand in India. The Slavia also impressed with its minimal body roll and plenty of power on tap. After completing the track experience, it was time for a short drive over to the off-road course. Lying in wait was Skoda's flagship model in India, which we've already had a chance to drive and sample, but not quite like this. Once again, there was a briefing to explain the facets of the course Skoda had prepared, and although it may not have been an extensive one, it certainly had a few tricky sections that required utmost attention. For example, there were steep inclines and declines, articulation sections, ditches, and a braking test section as well. Minimal steering input was key in some sections of the off-road course. advertisementDuring the demo run with the instructor, it was important to follow the rule of 'ASAP' or as slow as possible. Also, steering inputs have to be kept to a minimum, and unlike the tarmac section, it is important not to keep your thumbs locked into the steering wheel, as in some parts of the off-road course, the steering could bite back, and this could potentially be a cause for injury. Thankfully, the Kodiaq kept us cocooned in luxury, whilst taking on the course with relative ease. Its hill descent control came into play on those sharp declines, and its traction control system on the half-and-half braking section, which had a paved and mud section. The safety-based electronics came into play on more than one occasion. The ditch section too was a breeze as the Kodiaq managed its weight extremely well, and there was never a cause for concern or lack of power from the 2.0-litre, four-cylinder TSI motor. The large screen in the cabin had the position of the wheel and the level of degrees to which the tyres turn, right there in front of us, to further aid us during this off-road course. It's safe to say that the Kodiaq is at the helm of Skoda's line-up in India, and it's for good reason, too. It's a demonstration of the kind of products the 130-year-old brand can produce, and there is another iconic model to join its ranks soon. The freshly appointed brand director and Skoda Auto India claim that 2025 will be the brand's biggest year yet. For a sharp incline, its best feed the throttle consistently and not loose momentum. advertisementSkoda will also be concentrating on emphasising the importance and democratisation of the automatic gearbox, especially through products like the Kylaq, which offers a six-speed torque converter. Just in the last year, Skoda claims to have risen from the 11th position to the seventh position, as far as auto brands in India are concerned. In 2025, Skoda hopes to increase its market share and growth in sales volumes by two times, and also increase customer, sales and aftersales touchpoints across multiple cities. The brand also plans to foray into the pre-owned car business soon, and the brand-new product scheduled to arrive this year could very well be the latest generation of the revered Octavia to Auto Today Magazine The articulation section doesn't require throttle input; it's best to let the vehicle proceed at its own pace.
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Business Standard
29-05-2025
- Automotive
- Business Standard
Texmaco bags ₹140 cr order to supply multi-purpose wagons to Railways
Texmaco Rail & Engineering Ltd., a listed company under Adventz Group, has secured a fresh order worth ₹140.55 crore from the Ministry of Railways for supplying flat multi-purpose wagons. The order is part of the government's push to modernise and improve the country's freight operations. With this order, Texmaco's total order book has reached ₹7,115 crore. The flat multi-purpose (FMP) wagons are designed to cater to several industries, supporting the movement of steel coils, containers, military vehicles, and Roll-on/Roll-off (RoRo) operations. The FMPs are built to meet the increasing needs of modern freight logistics, offering higher efficiency and adaptability. They can also transport ISO containers (one 40-foot or two 20-foot units), enhancing the country's cargo-handling capacity; trucks (loaded or empty) through RoRo methods, helping speed up freight movement; and military vehicles, ensuring quick and safe transport for defence needs. Induction of the FMP wagon also ties into broader goals around sustainability and integrated transport. These wagons aim to modernise infrastructure and encourage greener freight solutions by supporting multi-modal transport. Their design helps cut down freight costs and delivery times. "This latest order is a testament to India's commitment to modernising its railway fleet with next-generation freight solutions," said Indrajit Mookerjee, vice chairman and executive director of Texmaco Rail & Engineering Ltd. "With these versatile wagons, Texmaco is proud to contribute to the nation's transportation infrastructure and economic progress." "Texmaco remains dedicated to providing state-of-the-art railway solutions that enhance connectivity and streamline cargo movement across critical sectors such as defence, steel, and container logistics," said Sudipta Mukherjee, managing director of Texmaco Rail & Engineering Ltd. Texmaco operates across three segments — freight wagons, infra-rail and green energy, and electrical infra. Headquartered in Kolkata, the company runs seven manufacturing plants across West Bengal, Gujarat, and Chhattisgarh. It also has partnerships with firms like Wabtec and Touax to increase its footprint in international markets.
