Global shipping saw a 17.2% increase in TEU-mile demand in 2024 due to vessel diversions around the Cape of Good Hope, according to Xeneta. To counter longer transit times, the global fleet will expand by 4.5% in 2025, though at a slower growth than in 2024. Despite lower consumer demand, the longer routes have kept
MSC’s CEO, Soren Toft, expects global supply chains to become more fragmented, leading shippers to favor direct port calls over speed. Speaking at the International Association of Ports and Harbors (IAPH) World Port Conference, Toft said supply chains are no longer concentrated in just a few countries or dependent on one or two major markets.
According to the International Air Transport Association (IATA), global air cargo demand rose by 11.4% year-over-year (y/y) in August. Cargo capacity grew by 6.2% y/y, driven by a 10.9% rise in international belly capacity. Despite record capacity levels and lower fuel costs, yields rose by 11.7% y/y and is 46% above pre-pandemic levels. Willie Walsh,
The IMO’s recent Meeting of the Environmental Protection Committee (MEPC 82) ended without a clear decision on the Carbon Intensity Index (CII), although there is growing support for a flat fee per tonne of CO2 emitted. Delegates said the current rules unfairly penalize waiting times in ports, a crucial factor to consider for shortsea and
The fallout from a potential strike on the U.S. East and Gulf coasts will be considerable, and the consequences of the disruption will be felt into 2025. Peter Sand, chief analyst at Xeneta, warned ships en route to the ports could be stuck at U.S. East and Gulf Coast anchorages. He pointed out that many
Australia has added stricter security regulations for air cargo originating from Europe and CIS countries. Starting September 26, cargo on passenger planes to Australia is required to only be tendered from shippers with an Established Business Relationship (EBR) with forwarders. Forwarders have voiced their concerns in meeting the new special security directions. The changes will
Thirty-six major U.S. ports are at risk of a standstill from the impending strike by the International Longshoreman Association (ILA). The ILA represents 85,000 workers across the East and Gulf Coasts of the U.S., and the current contract expires on September 30, 2024. Kim Ekstroem, Shipco’s Global COO – Air, discusses the potential fall out
HSBC predicts that if dockworkers on the U.S. East and Gulf Coast strike on October 1, it could impact 15% or 4.6 million TEUs of the global container fleet and 54% of U.S. container imports. The International Longshoremen’s Association (ILA) plans to strike unless a new agreement is reached with the U.S. Maritime Alliance (USMX)
Container News conducted a study on the rise of new shipping services and alliances, focusing on ports in Southeast Asia and Africa. The study focused on countries drawing major investments and poised to become key trade hubs as global maritime competition intensifies. Key ports evaluated included Haiphong and Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam; Laem Chabang, Thailand;
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