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09
Apr
Newsletter – April 9, 2020
AIR FREIGHT UPDATES
OEC Group sets up charter operation to meet medical equipment demand
aircargonews.netLogistics firm OEC Group has implemented a dedicated freighter programme from China to North America in response to the coronavirus outbreak.OEC Group said the flights would help supply the North American market with much needed medical equipment, masks and supplies destined for use by health care professionals and frontline workers. Read more here.
Forwarders complain over Covid handling surcharge
lloydsloadinglist.comThe freight forwarding arm of France’s leading logistics industry body, TLF, this week issued an ultimatum to the world’s largest air cargo handler Worldwide Flight Services (WFS) to withdraw a ‘continuity of service’ surcharge of €20 per air way bill it had introduced this month or face having the matter brought before the state authorities, according to a report in the French media. Read more here.
Air freight rates spike as handling issues compound capacity challenges
lloydsloadinglist.comSocial distancing and stricter rules aimed at preventing the further spread of coronavirus are reducing the efficiency of air cargo handling, adding time into supply chains and in effect limiting overall available capacity, according to leading forwarders. Read more here.
OCEAN FREIGHT UPDATES
Container congestion at Chattogram port
newagebd.netNon-delivery of imported goods from Chattogram port triggers severe congestion of goods-laden containers on the port yard as ships continue to berth at the port and loading and unloading activities remain normal. Read more here.
Port of LA March cargo volume drops nearly 31%
freightwaves.comThe Port of Los Angeles reported a year-over-year March volume drop of 30.9%.The port said Wednesday it moved 449,568 twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs) in Marc. That’s the lowest amount of monthly cargo moved through the port since February 2009. Read more here.
US shippers call for urgent action on ‘punitive’ demurrage charges
lloydsloadinglist.comA coalition of 80 US agriculture shipper associations and groups are calling for urgent action by the US federal government to end ‘punitive’ demurrage charges that are compounding the damage that the Covid-19 coronavirus is doing to US agriculture. Read more here.
Priority ocean services on the rise as air freight capacity becomes scarce
theloadstsar.comSoaring airfreight rates have left some commodities on the ground, but expedited ocean services offer an alternative.To offer a faster maritime link across the Pacific, less-than-container load (LCL) consolidator ECU Worldwide launched an LCL express service between Shanghai and Los Angeles towards the end of last month. Read more here.