Newsletter: January 26, 2022

AIR FREIGHT UPDATES

Covid-hit Lufthansa Cargo cancels all transit freight via Frankfurt hub

theloadstar.com
Lufthansa Cargo is the latest carrier to suffer operationally from an outbreak of Covid and has been forced to cancel all transit traffic through Frankfurt.
It has advised customers to cancel all transit bookings, saying in a note to customers this morning: “We unfortunately see no other option at the moment than to take some measures at the Frankfurt hub. As of now …  there will be a transit embargo for Frankfurt.” Read more here (login required).

Need To Move A Huge Load? Airbus Will Now Fly It On A Beluga

simpleflying.com
Airbus’ ‘Beluga’ outsize cargo aircraft are well known for their unorthodox shape and high capacity. The manufacturer used the A300 as a basis for its five BelugaST jets, before doing the same with six A330s to produce the BelugaXL. While these traditionally carry Airbus components, companies can now charter the jet for their own outsize cargo missions. Read more here.

IATA: Strong 2021 air cargo demand with constrained capacity

aircargonews.net
Demand for air cargo in 2021 was strong but capacity was constrained, according to IATA.
Full-year demand for air cargo increased by 6.9% in 2021, compared to 2019 (7.4% for international operations) and 18.7% compared to 2020, following a strong performance in December 2021.
This was the second biggest improvement in year-on-year demand since IATA started to monitor cargo performance in 1990, behind 2010’s 20.6% gain. Read more here. 

OCEAN FREIGHT UPDATES

Boxship charter rates hit new highs

splash247.com
Containership charter rates are storming to new record highs with demand for tonnage described as frantic.
“All sizes are seeing rates firming strongly, with, in some cases, staggering figures agreed, well above earlier benchmarks,” Alphaliner noted in its most recent weekly report. Illustrating this, Alphaliner pointed out that 3,500 teu ships are now obtaining $60,000 per day for 36 months employments, up from $45,000 only a few weeks ago. Read more here. 

GROUND AND RAIL FREIGHT UPDATES

Joint Statement by Ministers Alghabra, O’Regan and Qualtrough, and the President of the Canadian Trucking Alliance

canada.ca
Today, the Minister of Transport, the Honourable Omar Alghabra, the Minister of Labour, the Honourable Seamus O’Regan, the Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Disability Inclusion, the Honourable Carla Qualtrough, and the President of the Canadian Trucking Alliance, Stephen Laskowski, issued the following statement:
“The global COVID-19 pandemic continues to have an impact on all Canadians. Within the trucking industry, the pandemic has led to unprecedented challenges. Despite these circumstances, truckers have delivered for Canadians. Read more here.

B.C.’s Highway 1 reopens through Fraser Canyon

trucknews.com
Highway 1 through the Fraser Canyon opened to all vehicle traffic at noon on Jan. 24, marking another milestone in British Columbia’s recovery from November’s flooding.
A major route connecting the Lower Mainland to B.C.’s Interior and North has been restored, the B.C. Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure said in a press release. Repairs to the highway were completed, despite record snowfalls, avalanche risks and cold temperatures over the past few weeks. Read more here.

US customers moved fewer goods by truck last year – but paid more

theloadstar.com
US shippers moved fewer goods by road in the final quarter of 2021 – but they paid a good deal more in trucking charges.
The US Bank Freight Payment Index, published quarterly by US Bancorp, shows the number of truck shipments in the quarter dropped, both from the third quarter and on a year-on-year basis, whereas freight spend moved in the opposite direction. Year on year, the cost of trucking climbed more than 20%. Read more here (login required).

INTERNATIONAL  BUSINESS – GOVERNMENT UPDATES

Biggest threat to global economy in 2022? Inflation, not Omicron

bnnbloomberg.ca
News flash: The coronavirus isn’t going to be public enemy No. 1 for the global economy in 2022. The biggest dangers this year will stem from inflation and the risk that policymakers will call the post-COVID recovery wrong.
This is the year we’ll find out whether the global economy is robust enough to get by with less help from governments and central banks. And whether inflation is a temporary byproduct of COVID or a more persistent problem. Read more here.