Trendwatch: Vancouver port acts ahead of Canada rail stoppage; Indian port workers to go on strike to demand better wages, benefits; CMA CGM Belem safely at anchor following storm damage

Vancouver port acts ahead of Canada rail stoppage

Canada’s busiest West Coast container gateway is implementing measures to sustain cargo flows in the event of a work stoppage by railroad employees.

“We are concerned about the prospect of further labor disruptions impacting port and supply chain operations,” the Vancouver Fraser Port Authority said in a statement Monday. “The impact to the Port of Vancouver will be significant, with approximately two-thirds of all cargo volumes at the port moved by rail, including 90% of international exports.”

Canadian National Railway on Sunday formally notified Canada’s Teamsters union that it would begin locking out union employees at 12:01 a.m. Thursday. 

Indian port workers to go on strike to demand better wages, benefits

A group of Indian port workers' unions has called for a strike from Aug. 28 to demand immediate settlement of pay revisions and pension benefits, according to a note signed by its members.

A strike by India's port workers could exacerbate the existing congestion issues at Asian and European ports, leading to further delayed shipments, which have a global impact on trade and commerce.

The shipping ministry formed a bipartite wage negotiation committee in March 2021, and the workers submitted their demands six months later, ahead of the expiration of the previous agreement in December of that year, according to the note.

CMA CGM Belem safely at anchor following storm damage

The South African Maritime Safety Authority (SAMSA) said the 13,000 teu CMA CGM Belem had arrived in Algoa Bay at the weekend and they working to secure a berth at the Port of Ngqurha as soon as possible.

"The CMA CGM Belem, a container ship sailing under the Maltese flag, encountered severe weather off the coast of Richards Bay on the night of 15 August 2024, resulting in a significant stow collapse and a loss of 99 containers overboard.

Nhava Sheva Port temporarily averts transport strike that threatened rising cargo flows

In a big relief for Indian exporters and importers, a three-day work stoppage that container transporters planned to begin today (20 August) at Nhava Sheva Port (JNPT) has been suspended for two weeks, until 9 Sept.

The move follows last-minute intervention by the port leadership and other local authorities.

Transporters and empty storage yard operators in the harbour had been at loggerheads for some time regarding additional charges and truck turnaround delays.

Cargo backlog at Bangladesh eases as carriers bring in more ships

Container lines serving strained Bangladesh supply chains are making every effort to clear up the cargo backlogs at Chittagong Port.

The cargo chaos began amid recent political upheaval that brought businesses across the country to a standstill.

A few carriers have deployed additional vessels to lift stranded exports at Chittagong, according to industry sources, including an ad-hoc vessel from Maersk last week, and company sources told The Loadstar more extra sailings were under consideration.

Expansion of Mexico City airfreight hub raises fears of chaos revisited

The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has called for talks with Mexican authorities to avoid a repeat of the mistakes that hobbled the start of freighter operations at Felipe Angeles International Airport (AIFA) a year ago.

The call comes as the industry braces itself for the imminent expansion of the capital city’s designated airfreight hub.

PIL expands fleet with five 13,000 TEU LNG container vessels

Pacific International Lines (PIL) is advancing its fleet renewal program with an order for five new 13,000 TEU container vessels, each equipped with liquefied natural gas (LNG) dual-fuel engines.

These neo-Panamax vessels, to be constructed by Hudong Zhonghua Shipyard, a leading Chinese shipbuilder, are scheduled for delivery in late 2026.

Designed strongly emphasising efficiency, safety, and sustainability, the vessels will offer flexibility to adapt to various voyages, weather conditions, and load capacities. Their dual-fuel engines and auxiliaries will allow LNG and low-sulfur fuel oil operations.

Saudi fund said to eye Boeing, Airbus jets for new cargo airline

Saudi Arabia’s sovereign wealth fund is in exploratory talks to line up Boeing Co. and Airbus SE freighters for a new cargo airline, as it looks to turn the kingdom into a logistics hub to rival Dubai and Doha. 

The cargo-hauling operation would serve flag-carrier Saudia and startup Riyadh Air, according to people familiar with the matter, who asked not to be identified as the talks are private. The Public Investment Fund is in discussions with both planemakers and lessors to acquire Boeing 777 and Airbus A350 freighters, the people said.

Lufthansa Cargo grows 777F fleet to 18 aircraft

Lufthansa Cargo has added another new Boeing 777 freighter as it continues to modernise its cargo fleet and expand capacity.

The German airline took delivery of its 18th B777 freighter at Frankfurt Airport (FRA), it’s main hub, on August 17. The long-haul freighter was transferred directly from Boeing’s Everett production facility in Washington, US.

Lufthansa Cargo now operates a 777F fleet of twelve of its own aircraft on long-haul routes. In addition, six 777 freighters are operated by AeroLogic, a joint venture between DHL and Lufthansa Cargo.