Newsletter – January 23, 2023

AIR FREIGHT UPDATES

London Heathrow: 15% Of Departures Canceled & 67% Delayed By Freezing Fog

simpleflying.com
With the UK currently in the grip of an icy blast from Scandinavia, much of the country has been affected by plunging overnight temperatures and freezing fog. Temperatures reached as low as minus eight degrees celsius (17 degrees fahrenheit) in some places, with much of the southeast of England also being covered in a thick blanket of freezing fog. Read more here.

Polar Air Cargo ‘was the victim’ claim in ‘illegal payments’ case

theloadstar.com
Polar Air Cargo has framed itself as the victim of embezzlement in a case where it has already admitted its management received illicit payments.
The case will no doubt raise questions over shareholders Atlas Air and DHL’s oversight of the company. Read more here (login required).

Air cargo tonnages down 20 percent from 2022 new year

inisidelogistics.ca
Global air cargo tonnages have shown a strong post-holiday season recovery in the second week of 2023, but remained 20 percent below 2022’s numbers.
This upswing is delayed compared with last year, when tonnages had already begun to recover by the end of the first week. However, when combining the first two weeks of 2023, the recovery is similar in magnitude to last year, the latest preliminary figures from WorldACD Market Data indicate. Read more here.

OCEAN FREIGHT UPDATES

Canadian Coast Guard called in after fuel spill in English Bay

bc.ctvnews.ca
Federal, provincial, municipal and First Nations officials have been called in to assess the impact of a fuel spill in English Bay Saturday.
In a statement, a spokesperson for the Canadian Coast Guard says authorities were notified of “suspected marine pollution” near Spanish Banks in the Vancouver harbour by a float plane pilot. An initial investigation revealed that between 60 and 100 litres of fuel was “released” by a container ship, the MV Europe. Read more here.

Non-Alliance Carriers are Losing Market Share After Years of Growth

maritime-executive.com
After enjoying strong growth during the shipping surge experienced over the past two years, Sea-Intelligence reports that non-alliance carriers are again losing market share. With the current levels of overcapacity rising across most segments of the container shipping industry and possibly getting worse as more new tonnage enters the market, the analysis firm is predicting that the market share for the independent carriers will continue to decline. Read more here.

Gloomy picture ahead at North Europe box ports as ‘shopping frenzy’ ends

theloadstar.com
North Europe’s container hub ports are bracing themselves for the weak January import volumes from Asia to continue through the year.
“The signals from our import customers are clear – the big shopping frenzy is over,” said Elvir Dzanic, CEO of Gothenburg Port Authority. Read more here (login required).