Newsletter – July 19, 2023

AIR FREIGHT UPDATES

Schiphol responds to thefts with new security requirement

aircargonews.net
Schiphol Airport is responding to incidents of theft with the implementation of stricter security requirements from the start of 2024.
The airport will implement the Secure Import system that will see ground handlers advise forwarders when a shipment is ready for collection. Read more here

Cargo volumes decline 4% at Brussels Airport amid growth in passenger traffic

aircargoweek.com
In June, flown cargo volumes at Brussels Airport decreased by 4%, totalling to 50,136 tonnes. Overall cargo volumes declined by 10% compared to June 2022, to a total of 59,218 tonnes. This decline is largely due to a 33% decrease in trucked volumes.
The full-cargo segment dropped by 21%, in line with the global trend, while belly cargo showed a rise (+7%), as did the integrator services (+10%). Read more here

OCEAN FREIGHT UPDATES

Union rejects mediator’s plan to end Canadian west coast port strike

theloadstar.com
Fresh shockwaves lashed Canada’s west coast ports last night when the dockworkers’ union voted down the federal mediator’s ‘recommended terms of settlement’ for the disputed collective bargaining agreement.
Announced last week, the compromise proposed by the mediator was aimed at ending the strikes at the gateways, but ILWU Canada president Rob Ashton rejected the proposal. Read more here (login required).

With 122 new ships on the way, CMA CGM has Maersk in its sights

theloadstar.com
With its huge orderbook of 122 ships, for a capacity of 1.24m teu, CMA CGM is on course to overtake Maersk as the second-biggest container line in the world.
And, with fellow Ocean Alliance partners Cosco and Evergreen having the third- and fourth-largest orderbooks – 927,000 teu and 840,000 teu respectively – the vessel-sharing group’s total capacity will be immense. Read more here (login required).

INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS – GOVERNMENT UPDATES

Digital forwarder job cuts down to investment slowdown and over optimistic forecasts

aircargonews.net
Recent job cuts at digital freight forwarders were caused by over-optimistic growth expectations and investment slowdowns, according to consultant Transport Intelligence (Ti).
Although “digital forwarder” is an increasingly difficult term to define, Ti outlined a series of job cuts at companies that have been labelled as such over recent years in a new white paper. Read more here

CANADA BUSINESS – GOVERNMENT UPDATES

Canadian government invest in autonomous cargo flights

aircargonews.net
Startup autonomous cargo airline Ribbit has secured financial backing from the Canadian Government.
Transport Canada and Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada have issued Ribbit a C$1.3m contract to begin flying autonomous aircraft that will improve supply chains to remote northern communities in the country, said the company in a LinkedIn post. Read more here