Newsletter – December 20, 2017

AIR FREIGHT

E-commerce – growth without profit?
source: aircargonews.net
Airlines are looking to capitalise on the rapid growth of online consumer sales, but do the margins generated by the sector justify the investments carriers are making, asks Ian Putzger
Air France Martin Cargo (AF-KL-MP) is poised to launch a same-day product on intra-European sectors that will use its baggage system for rapid cargo handling. Read more here.

OCEAN FREIGHT UPDATES

MSC and CMA CGM to ‘jumbo-ise’ 21 containerships into ULCVs
source: theloadstar.co.uk
The ‘jumbo-isation’ of containerships is back in fashion, with MSC and CMA CGM reportedly planning to upgrade 21 14,000 teu vessels to ultra-large container vessels (ULCVs) of 17,000 teu nominal capacity. Read more here. The ‘jumbo-isation’ of containerships is back in fashion, with MSC and CMA CGM reportedly planning to upgrade 21 14,000 teu vessels to ultra-large container vessels (ULCVs) of 17,000 teu nominal capacity. Read more here.

HMM Eyes Giant Ships with New Money Raised
source: splash247.com
South Korea’s Hyundaoi Merchant Marine (HMM) will split the KRW600bn ($554m) it has raised from a rights issue this month in three equal portions: on new ships, terminals and paying back existing debts. Read more here.

Cosco Shipping Ports volume growth slows down, overseas ports remain strong
source: shippingonline.cn
CHINA’s major port operator, Cosco Shipping Ports (CSP) saw container volume growth momentum slow down towards the end of the year with overall throughput in November rising 8.9 per cent to 7.52 million TEU from 6.91 million TEU in November 2016, driven by solid performance at its overseas ports and the newer southeast and southwest coast ports. Read more here.

AGT signs 20-year service deal for new port terminal to be built in Vancouver
source: canadianshipper.com
Regina, SK — AGT Food and Ingredients, a Regina-based pulse and specialty crop exporter, has signed a 20-year deal for access and certain exclusive rights to a new agriculture export terminal to be built at the Port of Vancouver. Read more here.

INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS – GOVERNMENT UPDATES

Uber is officially a cab firm, says European court
source: theloadstar.co.uk
Anyone who believed Uber was a digital service company rather than a taxi operator was mistaken, the European Court of Justice has ruled. The BBC reports the decision came about after Uber was told to “obey” the rules enforced upon Barcelona’s taxi services. Following the ruling, the IRU suggested the decision could have a wider impact on “platform companies” in Europe and beyond. Read more here (login required).

Upturn in shipping fortunes a bonus for container manufacturers
source: theloadstar.co.uk
A resurgence in demand and new environmental regulations banning solvent-based paints have proved a double-whammy for container manufacturers. Read more here (login required).

Fear, Fake News and Cyber Hype
source: splash247.com
Remember this? It dodn’t happen. Fake news. Like so many scary cyber storeis, this one isn’t true. Not only that, it couldn’t be true. This i s a quick examination of the way that declining editorial expertise is diluting the maritime press… Read more here.