Newsletter – March 12, 2024

Shenzhen-Mexico City: China’s New Longest Route Will Be The 7th Globally
simpleflying.com
As China’s largest airline, China Southern Airlines is about to launch its first direct flight from China to Mexico. This move is significant given the growing travel and trade demand between China and Latin American countries.
A spokesperson for China Southern Airlines stated in Guangzhou that the airline plans to open the Shenzhen—Mexico City—Tijuana (with a layover)—Shenzhen route. The inaugural flight is scheduled for April 17th this year, and flights will operate every Monday and Thursday from April 22nd to October 26th. The flight number is CZ8031/2, and it will be operated using either the Boeing 787-9 or Airbus A350 aircraft. Read more here.

Checked Baggage: Where Does It Go In The Airport & How Does The System Work?
simpleflying.com
Passengers often check their bags in at the baggage counter and forget about them until they head to the baggage carousel at their destination. But behind the scenes, an army of employees and machines ensures your baggage reaches its destination safely. Read more here.

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OCEAN FREIGHT UPDATES

Carriers still need another 400,000 teu to maintain services
theloadstar.com
Nearly 200,000 teu of newbuild containership capacity was delivered in February, following a record 300,000 teu received the month before – the new tonnage being comfortably soaked up by Red Sea diversions around Africa.
However, if and when a safe passage can be guaranteed and ships can again transit the Red Sea to the Suez Canal without fear of attack, ocean carriers will need to manage a chronic oversupply situation, as at least another 2.5 million teu is slated still to be delivered this year. Read more here (login required).

Fire on Board Container Ship: MSC Sao Paulo V Towed to Quebec City
journaldeqeubec.com
The container ship MSC Sao Paulo V had to be towed from the Saguenay Fjord to the Port of Quebec on Saturday afternoon, following a fire the weekend before that prevented it from continuing on its way.
No pollution has been observed by the environmental response team following the event. Read more here (translated from French).

Finnish Port Workers Start Two-Week Strike, Anticipate Delays and Disruptions
worldcargonews.com
The Central Organization of Finnish Trade Unions last week instructed its member unions to engage in industrial action following unsuccessful negotiations with the government regarding employee rights and social security.
Among the participating member unions is the Finnish Transport Workers’ Union, which predominantly represents workers in the stevedoring industry and has announced a port strike. The strike was scheduled to start on Monday, March 11 at 6 am and will continue until Monday, March 25 at 6 am. Read more here.

Prince Rupert port in new push to win traffic following capacity hike
theloadstar.com
Boosted by a fresh injection of handling capacity, DP World’s Prince Rupert Port has reminded North American shippers of other capacity options, should regional port congestion become an issue later this year.
“We have plenty of room and capability to handle what may come through,” DP World Canada chief executive Doug Smith told The Loadstar Podcast on the sidelines of this year’s S&P TPM event in Long Beach. Read more here (login required).