September 6, 2022

AIR FREIGHT UPDATES

‘Massive’ typhoon disrupts ports and airports in Shanghai, Ningbo and Busan

theloadstar.com
Typhoon Hinnamor has forced the ports of Shanghai, Ningbo and Busan to close, further disrupting shipping schedules from Asia.
Shanghai’s container terminals and equipment yards were closed at 4pm yesterday “until further notice”, according to Norman Global Logistics (NGL). Ningbo’s terminals closed on Friday, the forwarder added.Typhoon Hinnamor has forced the ports of Shanghai, Ningbo and Busan to close, further disrupting shipping schedules from Asia. Read more here (login required).

Hong Kong’s extensive cargo efforts applauded

airfreight.news
Following an increase in the cargo dedication of Cathay Pacific throughout the pandemic and beyond, the award-winning airline’s hub, Hong Kong International Airport, has been recognised for its cargo proficiency.
The international airport was named the world’s busiest cargo airport, as well carrying the most tonnage for 2021, beating last year’s top-ranking Memphis International Airport, which positioned second according to the Airports Council International (ACI). Read more here.

OCEAN FREIGHT UPDATES

Carriers profiteering from container chaos in flood-wracked Pakistan

theloadstar.com
The major flooding across Pakistan has seen up to 7,000 containers stranded on the road between Karachi and Chaman (pictured), on the Afghan border, south-east of Kandahar, but shipping lines have not waived their detention & demurrage (D&D) charges.
Many trucks were carrying empties being returned to the carriers, but as the free rental time on the boxes ended, the D&D charges kicked in and the lines started to see the cash pouring into their coffers. Read more here.

Container shipping profits will drop by 80% in 2023/24: HSBC report

seatrade-maritime.com
After two years of unprecedented rises container freight rates were seen as having peaked with a downcycle in 2023 –  2024 driven by overcapacity. However, Parash Jain, Head of Shipping & Ports & Asia Transport Research for HSBC does not believe the sector will return to losses, which have so often characterised it over the last two decades pre-pandemic. Read more here.

Liverpool port faces two-week stike from September 19

splash247.com
More than 560 port operatives and maintenance engineers at the Port of Liverpool, one of the UK’s largest container ports, will down tools from September 19 to October 3 over pay and working conditions.
Dockworkers voted for strike action in August after being offered a 7% pay increase by MDHC Container Services, part of Peel Ports, the second largest port group in the UK. The Unite union said the offer was inadequate and far below the current real inflation rate, which is estimated to reach 13% this year. Read more here.

Shanghai port opens giant empty container transportation centre

splash247.com
An empty container transportation centre has opened in Shanghai, the world’s largest container port.
The giant new facility located in the Yangshan Special Comprehensive Bonded Zone can handle 3m teu per year.
“The new centre will help us to apply digitalised and intelligent management to promote communications between ports and shipping enterprises, so as to provide empty container services for shipping operators as well as customers in Northeast Asia, along the Yangtze River Delta region, and areas along the Yangtze River,” said Gu Jinshan, chairman of Shanghai International Port Group (SIPG). Read more here.

GROUND AND RAIL FREIGHT UPDATES  

US drayage challenges shift – alongside container imports – from coast to coast

theloadstar.com
Having grappled with congestion at the port complex of Los Angeles and Long Beach, the problems at New York and New Jersey present a sense of déjà vu, to Paul Brashier, VP of drayage and intermodal, at ITS Logistics.
Port congestion has shifted from the west coast to the east – last week, there were 130 containerships waiting for berth space at US ports, but only a quarter of those were queueing on the west coast. Read more here.