Mediterranean Shipping Company must pay US furniture maker MCS Industries reparations of almost US$1 million after the US Federal Maritime Commission (FMC) awarded default judgment to MCS in its breach-of-contract complaint against MSC.

FMC judge Erin Wirth cited MSC’s “willful and deliberate failure to provide discovery” as the Swiss-Italian liner giant had repeatedly failed to comply with the FMC’s order to turn over certain documents relating to its contract with MCS.

Following the acquisition of GEFCO by French CMA CGM Group, the European automotive logistics provider's brand will now become CEVA Logistics.

In particular, CMA CGM's subsidiary CEVA Logistics announced on 10 January the creation of a dedicated Finished Vehicle Logistics (FVL) organisation as part of GEFCO integration process.

According to a statement, any GEFCO’s remaining business, mostly in contract logistics and ground transportation, is going to integrate into CEVA’s existing operations.

CEVA plans to finish integration activities and replace the GEFCO brand worldwide in the next months of the year.

The new product organisation will be under the director of former GEFCO COO Emmanuel Cheremetinski, who will lead a global team of approximately 4,000 employees.

Prices of copper dipped on Tuesday, as surging COVID-19 infections in China hit its industrial activities and raised concerns over near-term demand outlook, though a weaker U.S. dollar limited losses.

Three-month copper on the London Metal Exchange was down 0.2% to $8,303.50 a tonne by 0737 GMT, reversing gains from the previous session that was supported by China's pledge to boost its economy.

But the world's top metals consumer is currently seeing a wave of surging infections.

CMA CGM SA has agreed to buy two major US shipping terminals owned by Global Container Terminals Inc to bolster the French logistics company’s presence in the country.

The acquisition gives CMA CGM a gateway on the US east coast and strengthens its position as global port terminal operator, the company said Tuesday, confirming an earlier Bloomberg News report. Financial details for the transaction to buy the terminals in the state of New York and New Jersey weren’t disclosed.

AD Ports Group has signed a contract with China Harbour Engineering Company for the development of buildings and topside infrastructure for the cutting-edge CMA Terminals Khalifa Port, a joint venture owned by CMA CGM’s subsidiary CMA Terminals (70% stake) and AD Ports Group (30%t stake).

The agreement includes the development of the first net zero carbon administration building to be constructed for the joint venture, which is being developed in-line with the company’s role as an official partner of World Green Building Council’s Middle East & North Africa Regional Network. The award-winning administration building, which won the Net Zero Design Building Project of the Year in October, will be a highly energy efficient building that is powered from renewable energy sources and offsets.

In addition, the agreement will see the development of 28 office and utilities across the terminal, more than one million square metres of yard paving, reefer stacks, STS cranes and access roads.