Portal - March/April 2021
Industry News
COMPANY NEWS
Interem Relocations Takes Steps to Promote Worker Safety
Respect is one of the Freight Systems Group’s (FSG) core values, and is the basis of their Prevention of Sexual Harassment in the Workplace (PoSH) initiative. FSG is committed to zero tolerance towards sexual harassment, and in compliance with the Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal Act 2013, the group has formed an internal 14-member ICC committee representing all locations.
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Interem will be represented on this committee by Lakshmi Hari. The initiative is in line with Interem’s policy to provide a work environment conducive to promoting diversity at work and provide employees with a trustworthy workplace. Employees will also undergo regular refresher awareness training across the group.
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To promote the effectiveness of the PoSH initiative, Interem has established a direct line of communications for complaints at Feelsafe@interemrelocations.com.
Matson Takes Delivery of Matsonia
Matson, Inc., a leading U.S. carrier in the Pacific, recently took delivery of Matsonia, the second of two new Kanaloa Class combination container/roll-on, roll-off (“con-ro”) ships built for Matson by General Dynamics NASSCO. The two are the largest vessels of their kind ever built in the U.S., and will complete the renewal and modernization of Matson’s Hawaii fleet.
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In addition to a nearly $930 million investment in its fleet, Matson is also investing more than $60 million in improvements to its Hawaii hub terminal at Sand Island in Honolulu, in conjunction with the State of Hawaii’s Harbors Modernization plan.
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“Putting four new ships into service in a three-year span is a significant accomplishment that culminates eight years of planning, project management, and coordination for teams across many departments at Matson,” said Matt Cox, chairman and chief executive officer. “Together with the modernization and expansion of our Honolulu terminal, these investments position Matson to provide efficient, reliable service to Hawaii for decades to come.”
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In addition to ensuring efficient, reliable service to Hawaii for the next three decades, Matson’s fleet renewal program is also accomplishing a broader fleet modernization that ensures compliance with increasingly stringent global emissions regulations.

Boonma Chiang Mai Welcomes Visit of New Director of Development
Elizabeth Hammond, newly appointed as the Director of Development of Prem Tinsulanonda International School (PTIS) at Chiang Mai, Thailand, recently visited the Boonma Chiang Mai Branch Office and formed a working partnership to bring more students to study at Chiang Mai. Prem is a leading IB world boarding and day school that aims to support and encourage students to become well-rounded individuals who are independent, confident and respectful young people. Typical of its innovative spirit, Prem was the first school in SE Asia to offer all four IB programs—PYP, MYP, DP and CP, and continues to be the only school to do so in Thailand. The IB facilitates an approach to learning that has enquiry, critical-thinking and problem-solving at its heart.
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“Our Chiang Mai team is so excited to welcome Elizabeth Hammond to visit our office and warehouse facilities. Chiang Mai is a very good place to live, study and work. Many IAM members who used to visit Chiang Mai and our office share the same experience. I’ve personally visited Prem School several times and confidently say that If you are looking for a stimulating, engaging environment where your children will flourish daily, find their passions, and fulfil their potential, Prem Tinsulanonda International School is the right place for you,” said Tiddy S. Teerawit, Boonma’s executive director.

Photo taken during the visit—from l to r; Sakchai Pungthong (Boonma warehouse supervisor), Elizabeth Hammond (Prem director of development), and Pittinun Phuchai (Boonma marketing manager)
Boonma Thailand Brings Annual Checkup for 200+ Employees to the Office
Boonma’s employee wellness program brings tremendous benefits. Regular health checkups not only ensure our workforce is fit and efficient, but it also connects them with management in a better way. Management has realized the importance of a healthy workforce and has begun offering annual physical checkup packages, an investment that helps the company reap many benefits. The checkup program includes eye examinations, kidney function tests, liver function tests, radiological tests, etc. for all 298 Boonma employees.
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“Today, safety and health issues are very important for every company. Each business should think of their employees’ health, which is a key criterion to the success of the company. Companies that have annual health checkup programs for their employees experience increased efficiency and productivity among their teams. Thanks to all the doctors, nurses and hospital staff who came to perform checkups and give us tests on the day,” said Tiddy S. Teerawit, Boonma’s executive director.

Annual physical checkup for Boonma employees
MMA Advocates Prioritization of Moving Industry Workers for COVID-19 Vaccination
The Massachusetts Movers Association (MMA) has formally requested consideration from the Massachusetts State Government to prioritize moving industry workers for COVID-19 vaccination. In a letter sent to the Office of the Governor, MMA President Bill Osborn and MMA First Vice President Oded Carmi cited that unlike long distance truck drivers, moving industry workers including salespeople, estimators, van drivers, packers and office staff are routinely required to come into close contact with customers as part of delivering essential services to moving consumers.
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The nature of the service delivery means that moving personnel are required to be inside homes, schools, businesses and medical facilities. The MMA believes it is crucial to protect front line workers including moving industry personnel that deliver essential services to the public.
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IAM member DN Van Lines strongly supports this initiative that recognizes the essential role that the moving industry plays to keep our country moving forward as we work to fully eradicate this pandemic.
Norwegian Military Defense Chooses Alfa Quality Moving Norway as New Provider
Alfa Quality Moving Norway AS is proud to share that they have recently been awarded the European Contract for the Norwegian Military Defense. The term of the contract is two years and can be extended by another two years.
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This is a positive start of the year for Alfa Norway and the Alfa Group. All employees as well as management look forward to delivering excellent service and high quality for all moves and relocation elements for Norwegian military employees and their families. This contract with the Norwegian Military Defense will further strengthen the position of Alfa in Norway as well as on a group level within Scandinavia.

Andre Gebhardt,
Alfa Sales & Relations Manager

Øyvind Andersen,
Alfa Operations Manager Move
King of the Jungle
Biddulphs International was recently honored to be asked by repeat customers in South Africa to complete their relocation from the world-famous Kruger National Park to Pietermaritzburg in Kwazulu-Natal. The entire journey for the removal was approximately 1,344 km. A Biddulphs team based in Pretoria embarked on the eight-hour journey to the park gate for collection, having to comply with strict game park and COVID-19 lockdown curfew times in order to enter into the Kruger National game park and reach the location with sufficient time to pack and load the household. The location was near Satara rest camp, not far from the Mozambique border on what used to be an old military base. Once loaded, the team had another 12-hour journey to reach their final destination in Pietermaritzburg, near the Kwazulu-Natal coastal region in South Africa.
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The client works as a specialist maintenance manager at a lodge, and they were also involved in education of children local to the lodge area. The rest camp location is famous for game drives and experiencing nature at its best. There is a well-known local elephant named ‘Floppy Ear’ who would often be found around the staff village where they lived. (You might notice him in the video, linked below). The move was a roaring success and the clients reported back with, “We are so glad that the Biddulphs International Team was able to enjoy some amazing sightings while helping us move to and from Kruger,” as you can see in the video taken by the crew on the moving day.
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Biddulphs International is often called upon to complete challenging removals; however, none have been more exciting than the wildlife witnessed during this relocation. The link below shows just how much fun was had on the big move capturing sightings of king of the jungle lion, elephant, hyena, zebra, wildebeest, impala, and even baboons to name but a few. Credits to the driver Tiego Howard Phasha and the rest of his team for capturing the amazing footage.
Move One Expands into West Africa
Move One is pleased to announce it has officially opened an office in Ouagadougou, the capital city of Burkina Faso. This office now brings the number of Move One offices to 12 in nine African countries.
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This new office location will offer Move One’s full range of services including relocation, moving and logistics solutions. Additionally, Move One feels that by opening this office, it will provide a greater advantage to current and potential logistics customers by being strategically positioned near West Africa’s busiest ports: Port of Cotonou, Benin–Lome, Togo–Tema Ghana–Abidjan and Cote d’Ivoire. All of these ports are gateways of an astounding variety of diplomatic, humanitarian, military and energy project-related goods into landlocked Burkina Faso.
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With a presence in Burkina Faso, Move One is confident that having local expertise will benefit customers by providing a higher level of direct service and enhanced lines of communication. Move One’s Carl Corriveau, Director of Global Logistics, added, “We are already remotely providing these services in the region. By having our own Move One office in Burkina Faso, we will have increased visibility on the cargo which will give us the opportunity to foresee possible complications and challenges surrounding documentation or transport before it becomes an issue or impacts our customer.”
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The expansion will also allow Move One to directly set up, manage and execute spare parts management and warehouse distribution projects throughout Burkina Faso in support of key telecoms and humanitarian customers, cold chain storage and distribution solutions for military, oil & gas, and mining camp installations. Move One also sees an increasing demand for moving and relocation-related services in the region, especially in the diplomatic- and defense-related sectors.
John Mason International Welcomes New Owner
One of the UK’s largest independent removal, storage and shipping companies, with bases in Liverpool and London, has sold, marking the first time in its 137-year history that it hasn’t been owned by the Mason family.
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There’s a new man at the helm of John Mason International: Simon Hood, the company’s Sales and Marketing Director is the new owner of the highly-regarded family firm, which was established in 1884.
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A multi-award-winning marketing expert with 12 years’ experience in the international shipping and global mobility sector, Simon is keen to maintain the family values that have helped make the company so successful. No immediate major changes are planned under the new ownership, but Simon is focusing on the company’s high standard of service delivery for customers, both during and after the COVID-19 pandemic.
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This commitment not only safeguards jobs at John Mason International, but it will also help to sustain and develop the global network of partners the firm works with to help drive the international moving industry. Hood said, “I am really honored to be the new owner of John Mason International. This is the first time it has ever been out of the Mason family’s control and I am determined to build on its reputable name and values to take the company forward in the future. Taking over in the middle of a pandemic is challenging, but the business continues to remain fully operational. The safety of our customers and employees is my priority and we have a number of safety measures in place to ensure we are ‘COVID Secure’ at all times.”

Simon Hood with his one-year-old daughter, Poppy
U.S. Navy Blue Angel Arrives at Honolulu Harbor Via Pasha Hawaii’s M/V Jean Anne
Pearl Harbor Aviation Museum today welcomed an iconic F/A-18C Hornet, better known as a Blue Angel, to its collection. Blue Angel #4 was unloaded at Honolulu Harbor by Hawaii Stevedores, Inc. following trans-Pacific movement of the aircraft via Pasha Hawaii’s M/V Jean Anne.
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Normally, off-loads at the Museum are conducted after hours; however, the Hornet was off-loaded and positioned inside historic Hangar 79 in full view of the public on February 5. Once positioned inside the hangar, the public will be able to watch as the Museum restoration team and volunteers reassemble the majestic aircraft, preparing it for Museum display. The dates are tentative and are subject to change.
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The aircraft left Naval Air Station Pensacola, Florida—home of the Blue Angels—for its final flight in late 2020 before arriving at Naval Air Station North Island, in San Diego, California, where it was demilitarized, had its wings removed, and was prepared for shipment to Honolulu on Pasha Hawaii’s Jean Anne 404W voyage.
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“Transporting Blue Angel #4 on its final voyage to Honolulu was a privilege,” said George Pasha, IV, President and CEO, Pasha Hawaii. “The Blue Angels are one of our nation’s most revered symbols of our military’s greatness and commitment to service. Pasha Hawaii is proud to support the Pearl Harbor Aviation Museum’s mission to share such an important icon with the general public.”

Kuhn Family Purchases White’s Ferry, Preserving History and Transportation Route and Supporting Local Community
Chuck Kuhn, founder and CEO of JK Moving Services, and his wife Stacy Kuhn, have come to terms on a purchase of White’s Ferry in Leesburg, Virginia, helping protect an important Potomac River crossing with a long history. Established in 1786, the ferry ceased operation in December 2020. Kuhn will be working with Peter Brown, the majority owner of Rockland Farm, in an effort to get the ferry reopened to its nearly 800 daily users.
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“White’s Ferry represents a piece of our region’s past as an early commerce route that built and sustained local economies and remains so today. This fits with my family’s interest in conserving land and history as well as supporting business and the local communities. White’s Ferry has provided an important and scenic transportation alternative to the swelling demands on our local roads,” explained Kuhn. “We look forward to working with nearby landowners and local jurisdictions to make this project viable for the region.”
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The Kuhns will begin working with the Coast Guard, Loudoun County, Montgomery County and the owner of Rockland Farm to open the ferry. The Kuhns plan to make a number of upgrades to the ferry over the next few years, bringing more operational and environmental efficiencies to improve services and preserve a piece of history.
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The many ways that Kuhn, his family and his company have protected local landmarks and supported the community include, among many others, starting the JK Community Farm; a charitable effort designed to alleviate hunger by growing and harvesting crops and livestock and donating them to local foodbanks, on 150 acres of conserved land in Purcellville.
As the founder of JK Moving Services, Kuhn employs nearly 1,100 people—a majority of whom live in the Washington, DC metropolitan region. The company and Kuhn have won numerous awards, including being recognized by the Washington Business Journal as a Best Place to Work and Top Corporate Philanthropist, Loudoun Chamber as a Community Leader, and Old Dominion Land Conservancy for its conservation efforts.
