Newsletter – December 1, 2020

OCEAN FREIGHT UPDATES

Box freight rates to rise further on equipment shortages

lloydsloadinglist.com

Bottlenecks in the containerised freight supply chain could mean that surges in spot freight rates on some trade lanes have further to run

“Vessels, equipment, berthing space, yard space, chassis, and trucks are becoming a scarce commodity in an increasing number of locations,” said Sea-Intelligence chief executive Alan Murphy. “The effect of some of this scarcity has global ripple effects. Read more here.

Colombo container congestion crisis easing

lloydsloadinglist.com

Severe congestion that has impacted key South Asian transhipment port Colombo appears to be easing, following several weeks of difficulties that have led to service cancellations, cargo rollovers and disruption to supply chains.

For several weeks, Colombo has been experiencing a severe congestion crisis caused by shortages of workers after some terminal staff tested positive for COVID-19. Read more here.

Hong Kong plugs into the booming reefer traffic rival ports can’t handle

theloadstar.com

As mainland ports continue to struggle through Covid, Hong Kong’s terminal operators are tapping into China’s booming reefer imports.

In a repeat of the cargo congestion experienced in February, during China’s coronavirus lockdown, Tianjin is the latest mainland port to run out of reefer plugs, after Covid inspections by customs authorities massively slowed down imports. Read more here.

Container shortages the biggest disrupter: where are all the empty boxes?

theloadstar.com

Some container vessels have been sailing from Asia to Europe under-utilised in recent weeks due to an acute shortage of empty boxes.

A carrier source told The Loadstar: “We have had to sail light a few times recently as there are just not enough boxes at depots [in China] to meet the demand.” Read more here (login required).

CANADA BUSINESS – GOVERNMENT UPDATES

Air Canada names Berry as VP cargo

aircargonews.net

Air Canada has named Jason Berry as its new vice president of cargo, effective from January next year.

In his new role, Berry — who was previously president at Alaska Airlines’ subsidiary McGee Air Services — will report to Lucie Guillemette, executive vice president and chief commercial officer. Read more here.

Big airlines left out of new aid packages

insidelogistics.ca

Ottawa is rolling out a wave of new funding for pandemic-battered industries including tourism, the arts and regional aviation, with smaller companies top of mind – and large airlines notably absent. Read more here.