Newsletter – August 7, 2018

OCEAN FREIGHT UPDATES

Weak demand threatens box recovery

source: lloydsloadinglist.com
Weak consumer confidence in the UK and sluggish retail demand in Germany have dragged down freight volumes between Asia and Europe during the first half of the year, despite a generally bright picture for demand elsewhere, according to a new report from Drewry. Read more here.

New Cosco Management Sets 1M TEU Target for OOCL

source: splash247.com
Hong Kong containerline OOCL has set out a path to join the TEU millionaire’s club.
Fresh from being taken over by Chinese state-backed maritime giant Cosco, new management was unveiled today at the line’s interim results, where a strategy was revealed to grow OOCL’s fleet by nearly 50% to ensure it crosses the 1M TEU mark. Read more here.

MSC announces SAWC- USA- NWC service rotation change

source: ajot.com
MSC USA announced that their SAWC-USA-NWC service will stop calling directly the Philadelphia port, USA. The last vessel with a direct call is the MSC ANZUNX833R, ETD San Antonio 19/08/2018, ETA Philadelphia 02/08/2018. Read more here.

Congestion Forces Fraser Surrey Docks to Temporarily Stop Accepting Empty Containers by Truck Without Export Booking Number

source: CIFFA
Through an email message sent on August 3, Fraser Surrey Docks advised that, due to current dock congestion, it will not accept empty containers by truck through the container gate without an export booking number until further notice.
Questions on this can be sent to Kat Coyle, at KatC@fsd.bc.ca or 604-581-2233, ext. 7028.

INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS – GOVERNMENT UPDATES

Arab states back Saudi Arabia in expelling Canadian ambassador over human rights dispute

source: globalnews.ca
Several Arab states have jumped at the chance to support Saudi Arabia in a recent diplomatic spat with Canada, after its criticism of the ultraconservative kingdom’s arrest of women’s rights activists.
The Kingdom of Bahrain, the United Arab Emirates and the Palestinian Authority have all released statements voicing their support for Saudi Arabia’s decision to expel Canadian ambassador Dennis Horak. Read more here.