Industry 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. Subscribe by scanning the QR code.
Jersey appoints DFDS to operate freight services
berth expected to become operational by the summer of 2025. IN TRADE Global goods trade continued to expand at a moderate pace in the fourth quarter of 2024, according to December’s WTO Goods Trade Barometer. However, prospects for trade in 2025 are uncertain as they may be affected by possible trade policy shifts, leading the WTO to predict that trade volume growth in 2025 is expected to reach 3%. The Future International Trade Alliance has called on stakeholders from across the industry to join the other 200+ visionary companies and sign its electronic Bill of Lading Declaration to promote adoption of eBL to facilitate the digital transformation of the global supply chain. A British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) survey has found that UK firms still regard problems at Customs as their major block to exporting, with many saying that these difficulties have not been helped by the constant postponing of measures expected to make trading easier. IN BUSINESS BIFA and the TT Club hosted delegates from Clecat and the FIATA Working Group Sea in late November for two days of meetings and port visits in London. Delegates had the opportunity to discuss the latest developments regarding maritime logistics at global level and potential initiatives to ensure a fair and competition and business relations throughout the maritime supply chain, ICS2 release 3 and global shipping decarbonisation measures. On day two, delegates toured the port and terminal facilities at DP World London Gateway. level playing field for its resilience. Topics under discussion included fair
ON THE OCEAN The government of Jersey has appointed DFDS as its preferred bidder to operate the island’s UK and French passenger and freight services from 28 March 2025. For freight users, this is expected to mean a flat rate card (rather than volume- based pricing) to provide greater certainty and improve freight competitiveness, as well as more regular freight sailings to and from the UK and France at peak times. Shipbroker Braemar says the delivery of newbuildings in 2025 is likely to lead to
oversupply of container shipping capacity from 3-4% in 2024 to 7-8% in 2025. IN THE AIR Global air cargo demand showed no signs of slowing down last November as volumes recorded a 13th
consecutive month of double- digit growth, with load factors hitting their highest level since April 2022, according to the latest market analysis by Xeneta, published in early December. IATA has forecast cargo demand growth at an all-time high of 11.8% for 2024 and predicted continuing growth, at around 6%, in 2025. However, the association warned of possible headwinds from tariffs that could be imposed by the incoming Trump administration. Boeing said in its latest Air Cargo Forecast 2024-2043, published in December, that it expects global air freight to grow by 3.4% annually, with express outgrowing standard freight. It added that the continuing diversity of supply chains will benefit countries in Southeast Asia, Latin America Peel Ports Group is committing GB£30 million to a new in-river RoRo berth and floating pontoon at the port of Sheerness to meet increasing demand from both new and existing customers, whilst enhancing the port’s capacity to handle rolling cargo and accommodate larger vessels. On-site construction is due to start in March 2025, with the and Eastern Europe. ON THE QUAYSIDE
With customs offices on both sides of the Channel, we offer a streamlined end-to-end service with a single instruction.
4 | January 2025
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