Newsletter – March 24, 2021

AIR FREIGHT UPDATES

Air Canada Operates First Flights With New A220 RetroJet

simpleflying.com
Air Canada rolled out its new A220 Retrojet today, sending the plane off on its first official Air Canada flight. The eye-catching vintage livery pays tribute to Trans-Canada Air Lines, the original name of Air Canada. Soon, the aircraft will be turning heads at airports around Canada. Read more here.

India Extends International Travel Ban Again

simpleflying.com
As has become routine for the past 12 months, India has extended its international travel ban once again. The ban means that all scheduled international passenger flights remain suspended until April 30th, with cargo flights continuing. Here’s how India has kept international flights going despite the ban. Read more here.

OCEAN FREIGHT UPDATES

Boat Blocking Suez Canal Partially Freed Amid Fears It Could Be Stuck For Days

forbes.com
Canal authorities are optimistic transit in one of the world’s busiest shipping routes can resume shortly as the giant ship blocking the Suez Canal was partially freed Wednesday, after numerous people familiar with the situation had told AP and Bloomberg that it could be days before the boat is dislodged. Read more here.

Liners begin warning of Montreal diversions

insidelogistics.ca
Container line Hapag-Lloyd this morning has warned customers that it may begin diverting vessels away from call at the Port of Montreal if the labour situation deteriorates.
In an email, the company said: “With the risk of potential industrial action at the Port of Montreal, we expect that terminal performance in the port will be severely impacted….As the situation develops, it may prove necessary to divert vessels…” Read more here.

ONE Suspends Import Bookings into Myanmar

ciffa.com
In a notice dated March 22, Ocean Network Express (ONE) informed customers that it has temporarily suspended import bookings into Myanmar with immediate effect, due to severe disruptions caused by ongoing protests.

Container shipping’s orderbook-to-fleet ratio rockets up to 15%

splash247.com
Container shipping’s orderbook-to-fleet ratio, which was in single percentage figures as recently as six months ago, is set to surpass 15% as shipping lines pile on the tonnage with Alphaliner suggesting IMO’s 2050 decarbonisation deadline and ship lifespans are beginning to play into the minds of owners. Read more here.

Could America’s historic import crunch get even worse?

freightwaves.com
The number of container ships at anchor off California is down from the all-time high, but that doesn’t necessarily mean the U.S. import boom is winding down.
“If you think the worst is over, be cautious,” warned Michael Braun, vice president of customer solutions at Norway-based Xeneta, a company that tracks container contract rates. “In some cases, it could stay as difficult or get worse — especially in the U.S.,” said Braun during an online presentation Tuesday. Read more here.