Newsletter – January 21, 2021

AIR FREIGHT UPDATES

Hong Kong Considers Implementing 14-Day Crew Quarantines

simpleflying.com
Hong Kong is looking over plans that would make it mandatory for all arriving airline crews to quarantine in a hotel for 14 days. These talks have emerged amid a recent outbreak of coronavirus in the special administrative region. Read more here.

KLM To Halt Intercontinental Flights

simpleflying.com
Dutch airline KLM will halt all intercontinental flights and some of its European services from Friday this week. The move is part of the government’s requirement that all travelers, including crew, must undertake both a PCR and antigen test before flying. KLM says that the move is necessary to avoid crew being stranded overseas as a result. Read more here.

OCEAN FREIGHT UPDATES

Port of LA will pay container terminals for efficiency gains

freightwaves.com
The Port of Los Angeles is willing to pay out $7.5 million to San Pedro Bay container terminals over the next year if they turn trucks faster.
“We see this as an investment in our efficiency,” a port spokesman told American Shipper Wednesday.
The port announced this week that beginning Feb. 1, it will reward container terminals for both improving truck turn times and completing dual transactions. Read more here.

750 boxes fall off Maersk ship during another Pacific storm

splash247.com
Maersk has confirmed another case of bad weather in the Pacific has knocked hundreds of boxes from one its ships.
The 13,100 teu Maersk Essen was midway through the Pacific bound for Los Angeles when it lost up to 750 containers on January 16 , according to claims consultancy WK Webster. Read more here.

Ocean freight rate volatility ‘unprecedented’ – look out for ripples, warning

theloadstar.com
The spread between rates on the spot market has reached an “unprecedented” level, with wide-ranging implications for container shippers this year.
Analyzing rates from Asia to North Europe during a webinar this week, freight rate benchmarking firm Xeneta showed how the average spot price had jumped some 2,000% over the past five years to $8,300. Read more here (login required).

THE Alliance unveils new transatlantic network, with AL1 still suspended

theloadstar.com
THE Alliance member lines are to continue the indefinite suspension of its transatlantic AL1 loop, according to a network advisory today.
The new transatlantic network, due to begin operating in the second quarter, will see four services continuing. Read more here.

China looks ready to step in again and put a cap on ocean freight rates

theloadstar.com
China’s Ministry for Commerce is again looking to step in to stabilise the container shipping market.
“Our ministry is in talks with the ministry of transport and other related departments to adopt measures to increase shipping capacity and stabilise freight rates,” said Li Xingqian, head of foreign trade, according to Lloyd’s List. Read more here.

INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS – GOVERNMENT UPDATES

Brexit Border Trouble Grows as Key Customs System Maxes Out

supplychainbrain.com
A key UK government customs system has been overwhelmed within weeks of Brexit and threatens to trigger more disruption as freight traffic rebounds.
Exporters say they are struggling to acquire transit documents, which allow goods to enter the European Union without delay, because of a shortage of agents with the authority to issue them. Read more here.