Newsletter – December 22, 2021

AIR FREIGHT UPDATES

New Bangladesh airline to enter market in 2022

aircargonews.net
NXT Air has released a statement to local media confirming it has received a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from the Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh (CAAB).
Cox’s Bazar Airport in the south of Bangladesh will be the main operation base for the cargo carrier.
The airline’s plans to initially use an ATR 72 to carry cargo. A second ATR 72 and a Boeing 738 are due to be introduced later in the year to enable the airline to operate on international routes.
Cargo airlines in Bangladesh include Bismillah Airlines, Easy Fly Express, Hello Airlines and SkyAir.

OCEAN FREIGHT UPDATES

2M Alliance reschedules North Europe – Far East Asia network

container-news.com
2M Alliance, comprising Maersk and Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC), has decided to reduce the number of North European port calls on both the AE1/Shogun and AE55/Griffin services on the Far East Asia – North Europe network in an action that will be effective from 30 December. Read more here.

Congestion linked supply chain chaos to persist till mid-2022, says Maersk

container-news.com
A.P. Moller – Maersk forecasted that continuation of equipment shortage is expected in the near future across many locations throughout the Indian sub-continent, as various factors continue to impact the operator’s ability to reposition containers.
The Danish box carrier identified factors like increased customs inspections of refrigerated containers as a preventive measure against Covid-19, lack of labour due to pandemic restrictions across maritime and land ports, and vessel delays due to long waiting times outside major ports. Read more here.

GROUND AND RAIL FREIGHT UPDATES

Vena out of the running as next CN CEO

freightwaves.com
Former CN and Union Pacific executive Jim Vena has taken himself out of running to be the next CEO for Canadian railway CN.
Vena had been meeting with CN’s CEO search committee, but he took himself out of the process over the weekend, CN (NYSE: CNI) said in a Monday release. Read more here.

CANADA BUSINESS – GOVERNMENT UPDATES

Quebec Liquor Corp. warehouse staff ratify contract

insidelogistics.ca
Quebec’s liquor corporation (SAQ) says its warehouse workers have ratified a new contract, but it will be a few weeks more before store shelves are full again.
Union members voted 86.3 percent in favour of the offer, with voting held in Quebec City and Montreal last week. Read more here.

INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS – GOVERNMENT UPDATES

Rising costs in Asia and supply chain disruption driving trend for near-shoring

theloadstar.com
Near-shoring has been slower than anticipated to pick up, but momentum is growing, with central European forwarders expanding eastward.
Frankfurt-based Quick Cargo Service has plans to increase its footprint in eastern Europe next year. Read more here (login required).