Newsletter – December 2, 2020

AIR FREIGHT UPDATES

‘Heathrow Grinch CEO is stealing workers’ wages’ says airport staff striking over salary cuts

independent.co.uk

Heathrow Airport workers are striking today in a dispute over wage cuts.

Workers who are members of Unite voted for industrial action, with 84 per cent in favour of the strike, according to the union. However, the airport maintains that nine of 16 cohorts actually voted against strike action. Read more here.

OCEAN FREIGHT UPDATES

How the Panama Canal traffic jam is affecting ocean shipping

freightwaves.com

Since the Panama Canal debuted its larger Neopanamax locks in 2016, the three heaviest users have been container ships, liquified natural gas (LNG) carriers and liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) carriers. Now, transit demand for all three segments is simultaneously surging. On top of that, COVID issues are reportedly affecting canal operations. Read more here.

GROUND AND RAIL FREIGHT UPDATES

Online customs portal unveiled to help cross-border road freight in South-east Asia

theloadstar.com

A new online customs portal could help cross-border road freight in South-east Asia maintain volume gains made over air and ocean.

The Asean Customs Transit System (ACTS) allows businesses to make a single customs transit declaration covering multiple Asean countries without the need to make repeated declarations or change vehicles at the border. Read more here (login required).

CANADA BUSINESS – GOVERNMENT UPDATES

Hydro-Quebec executive named to head Port of Montreal

seanews.com.tr

A FORMER executive of the state-owned electricity provider Hydro Quebec has been appointed as CEO of the Port of Montreal.

Martin Imbleau will start the new year as president and CEO of the Montreal Port Authority as the second-largest Candian port moves forward on a new terminal after a month-long series of strikes in the summer. Read more here.

Canadian manufacturers face skills shortage: report

insidelogistics.ca

TORONTO – Eighty percent of Canadian manufacturers surveyed in a new report are facing an immediate labour and skills shortage that was made worse by the COVID-19 pandemic.

A Canadian Manufacturers and Exporters survey of 563 companies across 19 sectors released Tuesday found the need for skilled labourers has been growing rapidly for years, but COVID-19 government relief, health concerns and family responsibilities are making the situation even more troublesome. Read more here.