BIFA News
Ian Matheson, from Impress Communications, reviews some recent news that might impact on Members’ business
Non-alliance ocean capacity grows
ON THE OCEAN Whilst the initial disruptions to global supply chains triggered by the pandemic had a profound impact on non- alliance services, with those operated independently of existing alliance structures halting operations on major East-West trade routes, the surge in demand for goods, coupled with rising spot rates, has caused a significant influx of non-alliance capacity into the market, and the entry of several niche carriers, according to Sea-Intelligence. Russia is seeking China’s help in developing an Arctic sea route that could almost halve the journey time between Europe and Asia, reported Hong Kong’s South China Morning Post . It added that the Northern Sea Route (NSR)
may find themselves “at the mercy of the market”. Airfreight rates on key trades out of Asia remained “firm” in June despite the market entering the quieter summer season. Figures from the Baltic Exchange Airfreight Index (BAI) show that rates from Hong Kong to both Europe and North America remained up on a year ago and also increased slightly compared with May levels. In Florida, a 72-year-old is facing multiple charges, including a felony charge, after authorities say he shot a Walmart delivery drone that he said was flying over his house on a trial delivery run. Customers placed orders with Boeing for eleven 777Fs in June, the most the planemaker has received for the type in a single month in three years. It also delivered 44 commercial aircraft in June, the highest monthly total since the company curbed work in its factories in the wake of a harrowing near-miss in early January involving a 737 Max Protection Association (TAPA) outlined security measures in July to increase truck driver safety as they face an escalation in criminal attacks in the Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA) region. IN BUSINESS The European Commission plans to impose Customs duties on goods under EUR150, specifically targeting Chinese e-commerce giants such as Temu, Shein, and AliExpress in an effort to curb the influx of substandard items from China and create a level playing field for all online retailers. jetliner. Meanwhile Airbus logged its best monthly deliveries so far this year. OVERLAND The Transported Asset
could become a year-round shipping lane if global warming makes it possible to send ships through waters that were previously only passable in summer. Ships avoiding Houthi attacks in the Red Sea during July faced a different kind of delay- causing threat as they went
around the southern tip of Africa – storms and 30 ft swells. These left them seeking shelter or altering course to avoid the impacted areas, leading to further delays, which are not being helped by the congestion that is spreading at ports of origin in Asia. Global demand for ocean freight container shipping hit an all-time record in May at 15.94 million teu – surpassing the previous record of 15.72 million teu from May 2021 – amid soaring spot rates and severe port congestion, according to data released by Xeneta and Container Trades Statistics. ACROSS THE BORDER Concerns were raised in July that the introduction of the EU’s entry/exit system for non-EU nationals will create supply chain disruption and tailgate queues at ports like Dover and Eurotunnel. The new system, which will require non-EU nationals to provide biometric data before being allowed to enter EU nations, launches in October. IN THE AIR The global air cargo market is heading towards a ‘hot Q4’ of rate increases after a sixth straight month of double-digit growth in June, according to the latest analysis by Xeneta. It warned that shippers and forwarders are ill-prepared for this year’s peak season and
With customs offices on both sides of the Channel, we offer a streamlined end-to-end service with a single instruction.
4 | August 2024
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