Newsletter – October 29, 2020

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    Oct

    Newsletter – October 29, 2020
    OCEAN FREIGHT UPDATES
    Ocean carriers chasing premium rates are disrupting the supply chain, claims
    theloadstar.com
    A shortage of containers rather than space on box ships is the main driver of the unrelenting spike in freight rates on headhaul routes.
    Moreover, the focus by carriers to reposition their empty equipment as quickly as possible back to Asia, to take advantage of skyrocketing spot rates, has left exporters around the world scrambling for boxes.
    Indeed, one UK-based carrier executive told The Loadstar recently it was “discouraging” its export sales teams from “pushing too hard” for bookings. Read more here.
    Container shortages a growing problem for US agriculture shippers
    theloadstar.com
    Hapag-Lloyd has dealt a body blow to US shippers of soybeans and other agriculture exports with its decision to suspend carriage of container shipments of their produce from North America.
    The suspension is the result of an acute shortage of containers in Asia, as boxes have piled up in US warehouses. Read more here.
    Port of Halifax completes berth expansion and now eyes faster data flow
    theloadstar.com
    The Canadian port of Halifax has completed work on a berth expansion that allows it to handle two ultra-large container vessels (ULCVs) simultaneously at its South End container facility – now it is addressing the flow of information between port users.
    The project had been in the making since January last year, when dredging began. A super post-panamax crane was installed in the summer, the fifth such crane at the port. Read more here.
    CANADA BUSINESS – GOVERNMENT UPDATES
    Canada U.S. trade under a Biden presidency
    insidelogistics.ca
    OTTAWA – Canada coped with nearly four years of Donald Trump rewriting or shredding the international trade rule book. But Canadian hope of a rosy return to rules-based bonhomie with its top trading partner under a Joe Biden presidency might be premature.
    That warning comes from numerous trade experts, analysts and diplomats who have watched Canadians cope with Trump’s profound threats to their economic well-being. Read more here.
    INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS – GOVERNMENT UPDATES
    DOD planning ‘every logistical detail’ of COVID vaccine distribution
    freightwaves.com
    U.S. military leaders and logistics specialists are working on multiple fronts to ensure rapid distribution of COVID-19 vaccines. Efforts include reducing red tape for imports and exports of clinical trial materials and coordinating logistics plans with public health jurisdictions across the country.
    The Department of Defense is essentially serving as a lead logistics provider, applying its vast logistical capabilities to coordinate with private sector manufacturing and freight transportation companies the on-time delivery and availability of critical materials. Read more here.

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