Global News
Freight forwarding news details key intelligence and global container handling and port developments from around the world.
Container carriers heading for the rocks?
A further sign that peak season has been a disappointment for ocean carriers came when it was announced that at the end of August 2011 the number of idle container ships stood at 116 units compared to 98 units two weeks earlier. Despite this gloomy situation, only two out of the top 20 container ship [...]
Read MoreThe World’s Largest Container Shipping Company Increases Its Freight Forwarding Capacity
The world’s largest container ship company, Maersk Line of Denmark has begun to increase capacity on it’s S Class 8600 TEU containerships. The plan is to raise the wheelhouse (bridge) and thereby accommodate an extra layer of containers. The vessels will be capable of carrying around 10,000 TEU after the work is completed. We assume [...]
Read MoreAir Freight Cargo Picks Up
After a very slow and somewhat dismal start to 2011 it looks like Airfreight Export and Import cargo is finally picking up with growth since January around 4% and the annual forecast should be between 5-10% up on the second half of 2010. However rising fuel prices have squeezed margins for most carriers with increases [...]
Read MoreContainer Freight Rate Increase on Hold
Many carriers are putting planned GRI (General Rate Increase) for the 1st of August on hold due to lower than forecasted Peak Season Container bookings, a number of carriers are already announcing the scrapping of increases way ahead of the proposed implementation date, with most citing growth and volumes at low levels even as we [...]
Read MoreCourt overrules planning decision for much neede rail terminal
The developer of a proposed huge new rail freight terminal using Green Belt land at Radlett in Hertfordshire, UK, is celebrating a victory following a High Court decision to overturn the government’s denial of planning permission. The ruling means that the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government will have to reconsider his decision [...]
Read MoreShipping Industry Confidence Not Good!
As we enter the 3Quarter of 2011 the shipping line industry is facing doom and gloom with rising fuel costs and over capacity on most trade lanes leaves the shipping lines with a problem, however things should start to improve during the last quarter, with Christmas peak season kicking in and leading to a possible [...]
Read MoreChina/Europe Freight rates still on the slide
Freight rates in the Far East/Europe trade have been falling for the past 6 months or so and are currently 40-50% lower than November 2010. Carriers have tried to increase freight rates in 2011, but the hikes have failed to stick. This is bad news for shipping lines as they enter peak season, traditionally the [...]
Read MoreAirfreight Cargo Increase
Mercator Cargo has noticed an increased volume for Import and Export Airfreight, and in particular significant Growth for Export Airfreight to the middle east and USA resulting in an overall increase of around 200% growth for the year 2010 – 2011 which suggests a positive upturn in the global airfreight market, and particularly the UK [...]
Read MoreNigerian Ports Report Cargo Increase
Almost 75,000,000 tonnes of cargo were handled by Nigerian Ports in 2010 representing a 12% year on year increase. Nigerian ports handled a total of 670,000 laden TEU which is an increase of 8.8% on 2009 figures. Port congestion has long been a problem in Nigeria and the news that progress in dredging and wreck [...]
Read MorePort of Tyne Undergoing Dredging
The port of Tyne is undergoing major dredging works to allow ever larger vessels to call at the multi function berth at the Riverside Quay. The dredging forms part of a major £4 million investment in the port infrastructure. This will open up the North East port as more and more carriers and Importers use [...]
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