What We're Reading: BDP Trendwatch Week 22

Freight forwarders call for extension to Brexit transition period

Following a survey of its members, the British International Freight Association (BIFA) reports that the majority of respondents believe that an extension to the transition period is desirable, if no trade deal is agreed by December 31st 2020 and UK trade with the EU is conducted on WTO terms.

The trade association that represents companies that are on the front line in the management of the UK’s visible imports and exports conducted the survey in response to the UK government’s insistence that it will not ask to extend the transition period.

Source: AJOT

 

Container volumes at major Chinese ports fell 5.1% in mid-May

During period 10 – 20 May container cargo volumes of eight major Chinese ports declined 5.1%.

During the middle ten days period of May the operational status of major Chinese coastal ports improved and the cargo throughput increased 5.2% comparing to the first ten days of this month.

Source: Seatrade Maritime News

 

Global port throughput 'bounced back' in March, Drewry says 

Global container-port throughput "bounced back" in March, following a steep decline in February caused by a combination of the Chinese New Year and the coronavirus outbreak, according to Drewry Shipping Consultants Limited.

Comparing March activity to January, 2012, with a base point of 100, Drewry reported a increase to 124.5 points for the month, following a 20-point decline in February. Nevertheless, the level was still six points lower than in March of 2019.

Source: Supply Chain Brain

 

US hits back at China’s alleged attempts to restrict airlines

Growing tensions between the U.S. and China have expanded to the airline industry as the Transportation Department accused its counterpart in Beijing of blocking American carriers’ attempts to resume service there.

The DOT late on Friday announced that China had violated a bilateral agreement allowing airline service between the two countries by failing to respond to requests by Delta Air Lines Inc. and United Airlines Holdings Inc.

Source: AJOT

 

Seaworthiness probe after CMA CGM vessel loses 40 containers in rough seas

A containership off the coast of Australia lost 40 boxes overboard in rough weather on Sunday, with cargo including face masks now washing up on beaches near Sydney.

CMA CGM’s 5,510 teu APL England lost propulsion during heavy seas, according to the Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA), while sailing to Melbourne from Ningbo.

Source: The Loadstar

 

Air France KLM Martinair Cargo’s cargo network continues to recover, serving 67 long-haul destinations from this week

The COVID-19 crisis has had a major impact on international aviation worldwide. Fortunately, in recent weeks, we have been able to expand our network again, step-by-step. The number of destinations and flight frequencies continues to grow this week.

We’ve resumed flights between Singapore and Paris Charles de Gaulle, and between Accra and Amsterdam Schiphol (AMS). This week, we’ll be adding Bangkok, Panama City and St Martin to the route network operating out of Paris Charles de Gaulle (CDG).

Source: AJOT