Trendwatch: What we know about US East Coast port labor dispute and products affected; FIATA endorses IATA Cargo Handling Manual; US seeks to limit China, Russia’s role in connected vehicle supply chains

What we know about US East Coast port labor dispute and products affected

Some 45,000 union workers could walk off the job at seaports on the U.S. East and Gulf Coasts on Oct 1, cutting off vital trade arteries just weeks ahead of the nation's presidential election.

A strike would hit 36 ports that handle about one-half of U.S. ocean imports. That could affect availability of a range of goods from bananas to clothing to cars shipped via container, while creating weeks-long backlogs at ports. It could also stoke shipping cost increases that may be passed on to voters already frustrated with housing and food inflation, according to logistics experts.

FIATA endorses IATA Cargo Handling Manual

Freight forwarder association FIATA has given its backing to IATA’s Cargo Handling Manual in a move they hope will create efficiencies in airport operations through the use of a consistent set of global standards.

The two groups said that the endorsement of the manual comes after one year of process of discussions, review and collaboration.

By adopting these standards, freight forwarders, airlines and ground handlers will “better align their operations, by leveraging their respective expertise in order to improve efficiency across the supply chain”, IATA and FIATA said.

US seeks to limit China, Russia’s role in connected vehicle supply chains

U.S. regulators on Monday unveiled a plan to ban certain connected vehicles with hardware or software linked to China or Russia, as they tighten oversight over automotive supply chains.

The ban would focus on technologies that, if exploited, regulators believe would allow foreign entities to extract sensitive data or remotely operate vehicles, per a press release by the Department of Commerce’s Bureau of Industry and Security. The proposed rule would only apply to on-road vehicles like cars, trucks and buses, and exclude those not used on public roads, like rolling stock on trains or agricultural vehicles.

AF KLM Cargo returns to Hong Kong as carriers add Asia freighter capacity

Air France KLM Martinair Cargo (AFKLMP) last week launched a new freighter flight to Hong Kong after an absence of nine years as a number of carriers have moved capacity to the Asia Pacific market to capitalise on strong cargo demand.

The flight was operated by Martinair on behalf of KLM between Schiphol and Hong Kong utilising a 110 tonne capacity Boeing 747-400 freighter.

The service will initially operate three times per week before increasing to four weekly flights at the start of the winter season on October 27.

CMA CGM buys significant stake in Santos Brasil

French shipping group CMA CGM will acquire a 48% stake in Santos Brasil, a major Brazilian multi-terminal operator.

The CMA CGM Group announced the signing of a definitive and irrevocable agreement to buy a c.48% stake in Santos Brasil Participações S/A from funds managed by Opportunity.

“I am pleased that the CMA CGM Group has concluded this strategic agreement for the acquisition of Santos Brasil, which operates five terminals in Brazil, including the largest container terminal in the Port of Santos, handling 40% of Brazilian volumes, as well as a logistics company,” confirmed Rodolphe Saadé, CEO of CMA CGM Group.

World’s First Ammonia-Powered Vessel Completes Maiden Voyage

Amogy, a pioneer in ammonia-to-power solutions, has successfully demonstrated the world’s first carbon-free, ammonia-powered maritime vessel. The NH3 Kraken, a retrofitted 1957 tugboat, completed its maiden voyage on a tributary of the Hudson River, marking a significant milestone in the maritime industry’s journey towards sustainability.

This groundbreaking achievement brings the industry closer to meeting the International Maritime Organization’s (IMO) target of net-zero emissions by 2050, and proves the viability of Amogy’s technology and highlights ammonia’s potential as a carbon-free maritime fuel.

UK firms should 'diversify sourcing' amid post-Brexit customs confusion

UK businesses should consider diversifying their sourcing from a single market to suppliers in Africa, the Americas and Asia, according to a new report.

The report, by the University of Birmingham, came after the government on Friday announced the latest in a litany of delays to post-Brexit customs processes, with new rules for parcels moving between Great Britain and Northern Ireland pushed back to next year.

The report notes marked declines in the flow of goods between the UK and the EU since the 2020 introduction of the Trade and Cooperation Agreement (TCA).

Amsterdam Airport Schiphol sees steady cargo growth in H12024

Amsterdam Airport Schiphol handled 738,414 tonnes of cargo in the first half of 2024, up 8.7 percent from the same period of 2023.

"Belly cargo grew by 23.3 percent year-on-year to 305,593 tonnes following a 12.5 percent growth in passenger flights with full freighter cargo tonnage holding at a steady 432,820 tonnes despite a 5.4 percent drop in freighter flights," says an official release.