Newsletter – May 17, 2018

AIR FREIGHT

Europe’s smaller cargo airports scramble to grab China trade from major gateways
source: theloadstar.co.uk
Europe’s secondary cargo airports are jockeying for a greater slice of Chinese trade as the continent’s major gateways struggle with congestion and traffic restrictions. Read more here (login required).

OCEAN FREIGHT UPDATES

MSC halts Iran services as sanctions start to bite
source: lloydsloadinglist.com
MSC has confirmed that it has ceased Iranian services following the US decision to withdraw from the international nuclear agreement with Iran. Read more here.

Skou lashes Maersk Line for underperforming the market
source: splash247.com
Soren Skou, CEO of A.P. Moller – Maerks, has once again lashed his shipping division, the world’s largest containerline, for failing to make enough profits.
Unveiling the Danish group’s first quarter results today, Skou said the ocean part of the business ad delivered “unsatisfactory” results, and measures were being taken to improve performance. Read more here.

Oracle looks at shipping’s blockchain quest with HMM collaboration
source: splash247.com
South Korea’s Hyundai Merchant Marine (HMM) has started working with California-based software company Oracle in order to move its data to the cloud.  HMM is working to move its data servers to a cloud-based system by 2020. Read more here.

Pressure builds with a 900,000 TEU of new builds still to deliver this year
source: spalsh247.com
Analysts at Alphaliner are warning the deluge of new boxship capacity still to hit the water this year could harm liner fortunes.
In its latest weekly report, Alphaliner stated there are still some 9000,000 TEU of new vessel capacity scheduled for delivery from May through to the end of the year.  Read more here

Haiphong container terminal can now dock 14,000-TEUers
source: shippingazette.com
HAIPHONG International Container Terminal, a joint venture terminal between MOL and Wan Hai Lines in north Vietnam, is now capable of receiving containerships of up to 14,000 TEU. Read more here.

INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS – GOVERNMENT UPDATES

MSC halts Iran services as sanctions start to bite
source: theloadstar.co.uk
Anxiety has companies acting early, at least according to The Wall Street Journal. This report suggests a 12% jump in container exports at the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach is indicative of companies stepping up orders ahead of anticipated new trade restrictions. This of course links to ongoing rhetoric from the US administration of a trade war with China. Read more here (login required).