Newsletter – May 6, 2020

AIR FREIGHT UPDATES

Cargo handlers justify Covid surcharges

lloydsloadinglist.com

Freight forwarding and shipper representatives remain unimpressed by new coronavirus-linked cargo handling surcharges, despite efforts by some handlers to explain the reasons behind the extra fees and justify their application. Read more here.

Air Canada reveals impact of Covid-19 in Q1 results

aircargonews.net

In its first quarter results, Air Canada has reported a slide in revenues and earnings, predominantly due to the impact of the coronavirus.

The carrier noted a 15% year-on-year decrease in revenues, from C$4.4bn in the first quarter of 2019 compared with C$3.7bn in the same period of this year. Read more here.

IATA Suggests Scrapping Social Distancing For Face Masks

simpleflyling.com

The International Air Transport Association has today publically opposed social distancing. The Geneva-based organization has instead recommended that passengers and crew wear face coverings for the duration of a flight. Read more here.

Flying After COVID-19? We May See Middle Seat Privacy Screens

simpleflying.com

With airlines beginning to make plans for a post-coronavirus recovery, one idea that gets thrown around fairly regularly is social distancing on flights. This idea is much easier to implement right now while demand is low, but how protected are you really? Read more here.

OCEAN FREIGHT UPDATES

Now profitable, ONE expands reefer fleet

freightwaves.com

Ocean Network Express (ONE), which last week announced it had turned a profit, said Tuesday it was expanding its refrigerated container fleet by 5,000 40-foot units.

Two hundred of those units will be equipped with advanced controlled atmosphere technology, said Singapore-based ONE, which said it already has one of the largest state-of-the-art reefer fleets and procured 6,000 units last year. Read more here.

Hamburg Süd cancels a Montreal sailing

insidlogistics.ca

Due to continued unsatisfactory economic results, Hamburg Süd is ending the Montreal to Western Mediterranean Service.

The last eastbound voyage will be “Nysted Maersk” voyage 24e departing Montreal on June 14, 2020. Read more here.

GROUND AND RAIL FREIGHT UPDATES

India eases restrictions, but interstate trucking remains a major challenge

theloadstar.com

India eased some lockdown restrictions yesterday, but bureaucratic hurdles still hamper interstate trucking.

According to the All India Motor Transport Congress (AIMTC), only 25-30% of truck fleets are on the road, and restrictions at state borders are “impeding their movement.” India eased some lockdown restrictions yesterday, but bureaucratic hurdles still hamper interstate trucking. Read more here.

CANADA BUSINESS – GOVERNMENT UPDATES

Scale AI awards funding for Covid-19 projects

insidelogistics.ca

MONTREAL – When Scale AI, Canada’s artificial intelligence (AI) supercluster called for projects that would leverage technology and AI to solve challenges posed by the pandemic, more than 120 project proposals were submitted in just three weeks. Read more here.

INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS – GOVERNMENT UPDATES

Fashion moves too fast for stranded imports: retailers must discount or destroy

theloadstar.com

Germany’s fashion retailers may be forced to discount stock to avoid being flooded by a wave of imports, according to a new study.

German software house Setlog surveyed 100 fashion retailers that operate its OSCA system, and found them desperate for intermediate storage solutions, with warehouses and port container yards at near-capacity. Read more here.