Trendwatch: Canada Port Disruption Sparks Fear of Wider Trade Snarls; Cargo operations at Brazil's Guarulhos Airport on brink of collapse; Egypt claims Houthi attacks have cost its economy $6bn in lost Suez revenue

Canada Port Disruption Sparks Fear of Wider Trade Snarls

Two of Canada’s three biggest ports are expected to be closed November 4 after maritime employers responded to a longshore union’s strike notice by locking them out. A leading business group called for government intervention to prevent costly economic damage.

The International Longshore and Warehouse Union Ship & Dock Foremen Local 514, which represents 730 workers at ports including Vancouver and Port Rupert, gave 72-hour advanced notice on October 31 of a walkout starting November 4 at 8 a.m. Pacific time.

Cargo operations at Brazil's Guarulhos Airport on brink of collapse

Cargo operations at Latin America’s largest air cargo gateway, Sao Paulo’s Guarulhos Airport (GRU), are on the verge of a meltdown.

Airline groups are appealing to the federal government to impose emergency measures, including a five-day embargo for dry cargo, in a last-ditch effort to avert the collapse of cargo traffic at the airport.

Video footage of the airport shows warehouses overflowing with cargo and rows of pallets outside, some occupying aircraft parking positions.

Egypt claims Houthi attacks have cost its economy $6bn in lost Suez revenue

Egypt has suffered a $6bn hit from the Red Sea crisis and drop in Suez Canal transits, a minister has told the IMO – but Yemen’s Houthis have vowed to continue their attacks.

Yahya Sarea, a Houthi spokesperson claimed in a weekend televised address that Israel-linked maritime businesses were seeking to change ownership, but the group would not recognise any changes and would continue to attack vessels going to, coming from, or linked financially to Israel.

Carriers drop calls at Hamburg after congestion builds at CTA

Congestion issues continue to plague Hamburg’s flagship automated Container Terminal Altenwerder (CTA), due to operator HHLA’s modernisation programme, forcing carriers to drop sailings into Germany’s largest port.

Jan Kolditz, director of IT and terminal development of HHLA, told The Loadstar on the sidelines of the recent World Ports Conference in Hamburg that CTA was replacing its entire fleet of ship-to-shore cranes.

Late Arriving Containership Delays Reach Highest Levels Since Pandemic

The average delay for containerships behind schedule has continued to increase in 2024 rising to the highest levels except during the peak of the pandemic and surge in container volumes. Sea-Intelligence is out with its monthly look at the average performance of the container shipping carriers across 34 different trade lanes highlighting the industry remains broadly impacted by the disruptions of 2024.

Maersk Opens 24-Acre Distribution Center in the Philippines

Ocean carrier Maersk has expanded its operations in the Philippines, after opening its largest distribution center in the country to date. 

Maersk announced the opening of the new 24-acre facility on November 4. The distribution center has the capacity to store 76,000 pallets, and has a 75-dock spread. The facility - located in the city of Calamba - will serve as a transport hub for the Southern Luzon region.

"By facilitating increased domestic consumption and decongesting Metro Manila, it will boost the economic dynamism of Calabarzon and Southern Luzon," Department of Trade and Industry Secretary Cristina Roque said in a news release. "This investment is a significant step towards streamlining operations, reducing logistics costs, and strengthening the Philippines’ competitiveness."

Red Sea crisis provides a bonus for Chinese container manufacturers

China International Marine Containers (CIMC), the world’s largest container manufacturer, said its output in the first nine months of the year rose five-fold after the Red Sea crisis sparked resurgent demand.

From output of 2,490,000 boxes, (including 93,400 reefers, up 17%) revenue rose 36% year on year, to CNY128.97bn ($18.37bn), while net profit nearly doubled, to CNY2.73bn ($388.35m).

Canada, Australia Expand Air Travel Agreement for Cargo, Passengers

Canada has announced an expanded air transportation agreement with Australia, which will improve passenger and cargo flights between the two nations. The agreement, reached at the International Civil Aviation Organization’s (ICAO) Air Services Negotiation Event in Malaysia, includes unlimited direct flights and expanded access to any destination within each other’s territories. This increased flexibility allows airlines to optimize routes and better serve the market needs of both countries.