Month: September 2024

Articles

H1 2024 Brings Shifts in EU Port Rankings

Portugal’s port of Sines, Spain’s ports of Valencia and Barcelona, France’s HAROPA complex, Germany’s Bremerhaven port, Italy’s port of Gioia Tauro, and Poland’s port of Gdansk achieved significant year-on-year container volume increase in the first half of 2024, according to PortEconomics. This growth contrasts with the general decline in port traffic seen in 2023 said

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Articles

Shippers to Benefit from Alliance Reshuffle

Global shipping lines announced major changes ahead of February’s alliance reshuffling. Hapag-Lloyd’s exit from THE Alliance has brought about the formation of the ‘Premier Alliance’, partnering Ocean Network Express (ONE), HMM, and Yang Ming. Leaving its 2M agreement with Maersk, MSC will largely operate standalone services. The carrier plans to run five East-West trades with

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Articles

Potential U.S. East and Gulf Coast Port Strike: What You Need to Know

As a potential dockworker strike on October 1 looms for major U.S. East and Gulf Coast ports, shippers and forwarders are exploring alternative routes and preparing contingencies to minimize supply chain disruptions. Planning ahead is a crucial step to mitigating the potential impact. The Impact • Work stoppages: Key East Coast and Gulf Coast ports,

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Articles

Air Cargo Rates Climb as Q4 Demand Grows

A robust Q3, 2024 for air freight leads to high hopes for continued strong performance in Q4. Global cargo demand continued its double-digit growth, rising 11% in August. Lufthansa Cargo noted unusually high freight rates for this time of year, driven by supply and demand pressures, including geopolitical factors. Xeneta’s Chief Airfreight Officer, Niall van

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Articles

Demand Slows, Asia-Europe Peak Season Winds Down

Ocean freight rates from Asia-Europe, which saw an early peak season starting in April, are now falling as European import demand decreases. Asia-North Europe rates have dropped by $2,700 per FEU since July, although they remain four times higher than last year. Asia-Mediterranean rates have also fallen steeply. A global freight forwarder noted the pulling

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Articles

60% U.S. Container Volumes at Stakeas Strike Deadline Approaches

Dockworkers on the U.S. East and Gulf Coast may strike unless a contract is reached by September 30. Talks between the dockworker’s union, the International Longshoremen’s Association (ILA), and port owners, represented by the United States Maritime Alliance (USMX), broke down since June with no new talks scheduled. Both sides remain at an impasse over

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Articles

High Load Factors Indicate Tight Air Cargo Capacity

Shippers are advised to secure space and create contingency plans due to anticipated air cargo capacity shortages from key Asian markets during the peak season. According to a Xeneta and Tiaca webinar, dynamic load factors from Asia Pacific to Europe were 86% and 88% to North America in July, which is atypically high for this

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Articles

India’s Port Workers Accept 8.5% Raise, Averting Walkout

A planned strike at India’s major ports was canceled after workers accepted a new five-year contract. Nearly 20,000 workers were set to walk out on August 28. Reuters reported that Unions agreed to an 8.5% pay raise over five years, down from their initial 10.6% demand. The deal ends talks that began in 2021 when

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