BIFA News
Ian Matheson, from Impress Communications, reviews some recent news that might impact on Members’ business. Don't miss Ian's weekly news round up on BIFAlink TV, which can be seen on our You Tube channel.
Containership orderbook hits record TEU capacity
security, which helps address welfare and safety concerns for drivers. DP World has introduced a second weekly rail service operated by Freightliner connecting London Gateway and Southampton. It aims to strengthen the UK’s supply chain resilience while significantly reducing carbon emissions by cutting truck journeys, with a mid-week departure that complements the existing weekend service that began in 2022. Freightliner has introduced a new Tilbury2 to Manchester Trafford Park intermodal rail freight link, which was made possible by the “access charge discount” scheme, a Network Rail programme. This supports the creation of new connections and encourages the modal shift to rail, by providing a period of time where charges are waived to grow volumes and enable the service to become financially sustainable. ON THE QUAYSIDE October saw development consent for the £100 million Immingham Eastern Ro-Ro Terminal application for a new ro-ro facility comprising a new jetty with three berths, improved hard-standing, terminal buildings and an internal side bridge to cross existing port infrastructure. The port said the facility would be able to handle up to 660,000 units per year on ferries operated by Stena Line. DP World has announced a £1billion expansion, subject to planning approval and regulatory requirements, that will increase capacity at London Gateway’s port by building two new shipping berths. This will take the total to six berths able to receive the world’s largest containerships, as well as a second rail terminal to handle the expected increase in containerised trade.
ON THE OCEAN In container shipping,
large part of the newbuilds on order. It also reported that one of the carriers in the top ten still has two ships from 1982 in its fleet. Maersk named its latest dual- fuel methanol container vessel at the Port of Felixstowe in October, as part of the line’s efforts to deliver a greener, cleaner maritime sector by reducing harmful greenhouse gas emissions and investing in alternative fuels and technologies. The Loadstar reported that Gemini carriers, including Maersk and Hapag-Lloyd, are warning of an “operational meltdown” when the Suez
Canal reopens for shipping traffic, predicting weeks or even months of congestion as vessels clash for passage. ACROSS BORDERS The EU’s new Entry/Exit System (EES) will be delayed beyond the scheduled 10 November implementation date, it was announced on 10October. There was no indication of a new timeline for an initiative that has been causing major concerns about potential congestion and delays at UK border crossings, which would have a detrimental effect on trade flows. IN THE AIR Worries about a wider conflict airlines to suspend flights to the region or to avoid affected air space. A good summary of the airlines taking that decision has been provided by the American Journal of Transportation. in the Middle East have prompted international Amazon Air Cargo, the airline arm of the ecommerce retail giant, has begun advertising available capacity for ad hoc, charter, or blocked space services. Its cargo fleet has grown to more than 100 aircraft and now offers more than 250 daily flights, including those of partner airlines. OVERLAND The UK government has announced that 23 successful applicants will receive up to £4.5 million in government funding to enhance truck stops and working conditions for HGV drivers, whilst reducing congestion in town centres and roadside parking. Improvements will encompass enhanced dining facilities, changing rooms and rest areas, as well as improved
Alphaliner said that major carriers have driven the containership orderbook to a record TEU level as they modernise and expand their fleets both to meet the need for additional capacity as well as the emerging environmental regulations. The analyst has calculated that in terms of TEU capacity, the orderbook amounts to nearly 31 million TEU of newbuilds. Shipping Watch reported that major container lines still have hundreds of end-of-life ships in their fleets which, when scrapped, could swallow up a
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4 | November 2024
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