Category: Freight Import
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Summer shut-downs of Shanghai factories
According to unofficial forwarding sources, exporters and importers from China’s Pearl River Delta could face supply-chain disruptions as factories prepare for partial and complete closures in advance of September’s G20 summit in Hanghzou. Apparently related to a clean-air campaign, factories could be forced to reduce or cease production starting as early as June. With the…
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Air and Ocean Freight Prices reach Record Differentials
The gap between Air and Ocean freight rates widens more and more. The price differentials have now reached a record height. With sea freight rates being low for several weeks already and air freight rates raising more and more towards end-of-year peak season, it has now reached double the norm. Air freight rates have been quite…
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Airfreight Backlogs at China Gateways
The current backlogs at China’s main airfreight hubs Beijing, Shanghai, Hong Kong and Guangzhou will continue at least into next week. For now, there are delays of 3-4 days at most airports. The situation at Guangzhou is worse; here, delays of 7-8 days are to expect, apart from “first class carriers”, which are also delayed by…
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Self-Driving Trucks will Affect Logistics Industry
The Supply Chain Industry is one of the trailblazers when it comes to technology. No wonder we can forecast how self driving vehicles will affect the Supply Chain. The most obvious benefit is lower costs due to fewer truck drivers. But there are other advantages that improve efficiency and can lower the cost by as…
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Iran to Hold Potential for Freight Firms
With its Nuclear Agreement, Iran is about to open up for international economy. This is good news not only for the Iranians, but also for freight firms. The country offers great opportunities for businesses, especially in oil and gas, high-tech and automotive. Logistics benefits from Irans good transport infrastructure and the need to improve their…
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Migrant Crisis Causing Trouble for Road Freight
The ongoing migrant crisis is causing more and more problems to freight forwarders. Last week, workers at the Port of Calais went on strike and set off a standstill for two days. They demanded more personnel as they are confronted with increasing numbers of migrants at the port. For now, they suspended their strike and…
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Additional Controls for Tianjin Imports
Importers may face increased scrutiny of products imported from the Tianjin area, affected by a nuclear blast last month. On 12 August, a chemical explosion occurred at the industrial centre named Bihhai New Area, where hazardous chemicals such as sodium cyanide were stored. The FDA in the US requires submission of documents of goods like…
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The closure of the Port of Dover crippling UK trade
In the last few weeks we have all witnessed how a small group of French workers have caused big trouble to Kent and UK economy. Around one hundred MyFerryLink employees blockaded Calais terminal and burned tyres on the train tracks in protest at a potential 600 job losses. Operation stack started on 23rd June and…
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Maersk and MSC shipping lines sign an historic 10-year agreement
Maersk and MSC shipping lines have signed an historic 10-year agreement to share vessels. The shipping lines have embarked on an agreement, similar to airline code sharing. This news comes after China rejected the P3 agreement with the two carriers and the French carrier CMA-CGM based on concerns of forming a monopoly. The partners are…
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Container washes up on UK Shore!
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A fourth Maersk shipping container has been discovered off Devon on the southwest UK coast. The lost cargo has been washed up after falling off the Svenborg Maersk in the Bay of Biscay during stormy weather, last month and was spotted off Start Point in Devon. All 4 containers have found their way to UK…