Articles

Alliance networks operating between Asia and North Europe are experiencing delays of up to a month due to worsening port congestion at both ends of the tradelane.   Asia-North Europe loops with a pro-forma round-trip transit time of around 75 days are now taking 100 or more, with carriers obliged to juggle schedules at the last minute.   According to a Maersk advisory, vessel wait times at Antwerp are already up to 10 days, with lesser – albeit significant – delays impacting all North European hub ports.   Alphaliner reports that the maiden voyage of the 23,782 teu newbuild MSC Amelia, deployed on the 2M’s AE55/Griffin service, was diverted to Zeebrugge this week due to the congestion at MSC’s Antwerp hub.   “Originally scheduled to arrive at Antwerp on 28 July, the newbuilding only called at its first North European port, Rotterdam, on 14 … [Read more...] about Port congestion double-whammy sinks carriers’ schedule recovery hopes

Top global shipping hubs and short-term bulk, oil and container outlook revealed in recently published Baltic-Xinhua report   Singapore has been identified as the top global shipping centre for 2020 by the recently published Xinhua-Baltic International Shipping Centre Development Index. It is the eighth consecutive year that Singapore has emerged in the top spot, and its success is attributed to the size of its port, and the number of internationally focussed shipbrokers, financiers, lawyers and insurers based there. This, as well as its supportive government policies, said the Baltic Exchange in a statement.   The index offers an independent ranking of locations across the globe that provide professional services to the industry. It is published by Chinese news agency, Xinhua, and global maritime data provider, the Baltic … [Read more...] about Singapore top shipping centre for eighth year running

Neutral consolidator CFR Freight has added 12 new African countries to its agent list bringing its African coverage to 75%. According to route development coordinator Megan Ekermans, this is part of an ongoing strategy to increase the company’s African footprint. Commenting on challenges for operations on the continent, Ekermans told Freight News offering a Delivered Duties Paid (DDP) product was not always easy as was the case with moving temperature-controlled products to clients on the continent. Access to freighters and direct services was also limited which at times could be challenging.“It is imperative in the African context to therefore always be working towards finding solutions to some of the unique challenges faced. We work closely with our agents within the AirCargoGroup to find alternative solutions to move cargo.”Akerman's said risks such as security and bureaucracy were … [Read more...] about African agents grow as continental strategy takes shape

I am sure many people and companies around the world are glad to see the stern of 2020 as it sails away, hoping for a better 2nd year of the new 20s decade.   Globally, 2020 will be long remembered as the year when the world tilted on its axis, or that’s how it felt for everyone, throwing the entire world into chaos, the likes of which has never been seen before, at least by many who are alive today.   The catalyst for this chaos around the world is a teeny tiny microscopic virus called SARS-CoV-2 with a diameter ranging between 60 nanometers (nm) and 140 nanometers (nm) spreading a disease known as COVID-19.   COVID-19, one of the most rapidly spreading pandemics we have seen, has and is reshaping global trade and the business of shipping, freight, maritime, logistics, supply chain and trade as we know it.   The world economy is experiencing a deep recession … [Read more...] about Shipping and Freight Review 2020 – the year that was and wasn’t

As Asia-Europe container spot rates continue to skyrocket, shippers and freight forwarders are accusing carriers of breaching short- and long-term contracts to “charge whatever they want”.   In a joint letter to the Competition Directorate of the European Commission (EC), the European Freight Forwarders Association (CLECAT) and European Shippers’ Council (ESC) have protested about the “damage” the carriers’ behaviour is “causing to trade growth at a time of economic recession”.   According to the letter, the complaints relate to “violation of existing contracts, the establishment of unreasonable conditions concerning the acceptance of bookings and unilaterally setting rates far in excess of those agreed in contracts”.   The associations said they would meet with the EC “early in the new year” and “encouraged” it to “take actions similar to those of … [Read more...] about Shippers and forwarders claim carriers breach contracts to demand higher rates

How one manufacturer leveraged its long-term managed transportation relationship to gain access to top-of-the-line transportation management systems, carrier options, realtime cost data and end-to-end supply chain visibility.   Given the opportunity, most organizations would prefer to focus on what they do best and leave the non-core responsibilities for reliable, reputable third parties to handle. In the real world, however, most companies have to cover myriad functions that they don’t really have the resources, expertise, or skillsets to manage properly. When global chemical producer LANXESS realized that managing its North American logistics and transportation in-house was becoming too burdensome, it sought out a managed transportation provider to help fill in some of the “black holes” in its supply chain. For LANXESS, “core business” means developing, manufacturing and … [Read more...] about Embracing the future one step at a time

Traditionally, a ship agent (as a representative of the owner, the charterer -or both- of a visiting ship), ensures that the essential requirements for a ship visit are arranged and met. Therefore, they have an important monitoring role, before and during a port call, taking the necessary actions to avoid or minimize disruptions. Ship agents also guarantee that involved port actors are paid at the right level of compensation. Enhanced digitization and collaboration in the maritime transportation sector, through the implementation of digital data sharing, is an inevitable and unavoidable change and one that will affect the ship agent’s business. The current article explores emerging opportunities, and prerequisites to harness these.   Digital Age The traditional role of ship agents as the ship’s port call coordinator The shipping industry is a self-organizing … [Read more...] about Rethinking maritime businesses for the digital age: the evolving role of ship agents

South Africa needs to grow its export base if it is to see much-needed economic growth. According to Francois Fouche of Trade Research Advisory, a spin-off company of the North-West University, exports are the catalyst for change in South Africa. “South Africa’s only solution is an export-led recovery,” he said. “The local economy is too small to solve the problem in the next two years. We are better placed to use our weak currency and grow our exports as quickly as possible, faster than our GDP growth, and in that way pull our growth figures up,” he said. “We are already an exporting nation. We have world-class producers and are established players in the global market. It can be done, but we are going to have to remove the obstacles that hinder efficient export movement. We don’t need to be focused on issues of demand or supply, but just on creating the right environment for … [Read more...] about Export-led recovery the only solution for SA