Newsletter – February 4, 2021

AIR FREIGHT UPDATES

Air freight experiences unusual New Year ‘peak season’

lloydsloadinglist.com
Exceptional global air cargo load factors in the last two weeks of January saw 2021 begin with an unusual New Year ‘peak season’ as demand and supply were closely matched, according to the latest weekly market data from industry analysts CLIVE Data Services and TAC Index. Read more here.

IATA CEO Calls For Government Partnerships Amid Disjointed Restrictions

simpleflying.com
Over the last year, there have been several restrictions introduced to help curb the impact of the pandemic. However, these efforts have been inconsistent across the globe and often against the advice of aviation bodies and health groups. Nonetheless, the industry is going through another dark period with several strict measures in place. Read more here.

IATA: Lockdowns and capacity crunch cause worst year for air cargo demand

aircargonews.net
IATA has revealed that last year was the worst year for air cargo demand since it began recording air cargo trends in 1990.
Looking back at air cargo’s performance in 2020, the association reported a year-on-year decrease in air cargo demand, measured in cargo tonne-km (CTKs), of 10.6% — which is the largest year-on-year drop since its records began. Read more here.

OCEAN FREIGHT UPDATES

War of words escalates as exporters scramble for scarce containers

freigthwaves.com
A war of words is heating up over U.S. exports, particularly food exports — and the outcome of that clash could affect U.S. containerized imports as well.
Reports first surfaced in late October that carriers were rushing containers back empty from California to Asia to serve lucrative headhaul trades instead of loading U.S. export cargoes. Read more here.

Global logistics chains at risk from second-tier ports’ lack of digitalisation

theloadstar.com
Second-tier ports have been slammed for a lack of digitalisation, putting global logistics chains at risk.
According to Singapore-based port software provider Innovez-One, some 80% of the world’s 4,900 ports are “not yet using digital technology for even the most basic processes”. Read more here (login required).

Evergreen’s order book expanded with 20 new mega box ships

seanews.com.tr
TAIWANESE carrier Evergreen’s order book – already the biggest among all liners – is set to swell with a long telegraphed big order being split three ways across East Asia.

According to multiple broking reports, the Taiwanese liner has ordered five 15,000 TEU ships at Samsung Heavy Industries in South Korea, five similarly sized ships at China’s Hudong-Zhonghua, while also agreeing with Japan’s Shoei Kisen to take ten 15,000 TEU newbuilds from Shoei Kisen’s sister firm, Imabari. Read more here.

CMA CGM Reroutes to Oakland to Avoid Port Congestion and Delays

maritime-executive.com
With the ongoing reports of lack of space on containerships bound to the U.S. and port congestion when the ships arrive at the ports, there are increasing calls for actions to ease the bottlenecks. Shipping giant CMA CGM Group announced steps that it is taking to address the current conditions in the U.S. market. Read more here.

INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS- GOVERNMENT UPDATES

California asks Federal Maritime Commission to take action on shipping delays

cnbc.com
Just one week after CNBC’s two month investigation into shipping carriers’ rejection of U.S. agricultural exports, California is calling on the Federal Maritime Commission (FMC) for immediate action. A letter to the FMC was signed by several state officials asking for immediate steps in reviewing the carriers’ export policies. Read more here.