Newsletter – May 3, 2021

AIR FREIGHT UPDATES

Indian Carriers Cut Flight Schedules Amid Second Wave

simpleflying.com
As India’s cases continue to rise and the healthcare system struggles, airlines have begun scaling back flight schedules. This comes as the number of daily passengers falls by over 50% in the last month alone. Let’s find out more about these capacity cuts. Read more here.

OCEAN FREIGHT UPDATES

House of Commons passes Bill C-29 – Full resumption of operations at the Port of Montreal and an end to the uncertainty 

newswire.ca
MONTREAL, May 1, 2021 /CNW Telbec/ – Operations at the Port of Montreal will regain their needed stability gradually over the next few hours, following passage by the House of Commons of an Act to provide for the resumption and continuation of operations at the Port of Montreal. This decision means that the operational and commercial uncertainty related to labour relations between the dockworkers’ union CUPE Local 375 and the Maritime Employers Association (MEA) is now over. Read more here.

Freight rate ‘contagion’ will bring a two-year ‘profit bonanza’ for ocean carriers

theloadstar.com
Shippers are bracing for a further broadside of rate increases in June across multiple trades, as ocean carriers beef up profits ahead of the peak season.
After a period of stability, following hikes of up to 200% in the second half of last year, transpacific carriers are rolling out a raft of new GRIs, effective 1 June.
For example, Hapag-Lloyd is advising its Asia to North America rates will rise by $1,200 per 40ft. Read more here (login required).

GROUND AND RAIL FREIGHT UPDATES

Selected loads exempt from spring thaw limits in Southern Ontario

trucknews.com
Ontario is exempting several types of cargo from spring thaw weight restrictions in Southern Ontario, citing special needs during Covid-19.
“In alignment with the government’s efforts to support businesses while restricting the progress of Covid-19, MTO has expanded exemptions toward commodities deemed to be essential for both the medical/pharmaceutical response to the pandemic, but also those involved in critical agri-business within the southern portion of the province,” Transport Minister Caroline Mulroney says in a letter provided to the Private Motor Truck Council of Canada. Read more here.

INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS – GOVERNMENT UPDATES

Shipping speed, transparency continue to trip up e-commerce brands

freightwaves.com
The retail customer journey has been changed forever. No longer is going to a physical store and browsing the aisles the only method of shopping. More browsing than ever is taking place online, more sales than ever are occurring in digital spaces and more pressure on retailers is driving change – and new challenges – that continue to alter the shopping experience.
Understanding these changes are key to creating successful customer journeys. More importantly, though, is understanding what the modern consumer seeks. A series of recent reports provide some insights into the consumer of 2021 and what they say is important to them, giving retailers and brands a road map to fulfilling consumer needs. Read more here.