BIFA News
CNS introduces its fi rst port community system Ian Matheson, from Impress Communications, reviews some recent news that might impact on Members’ business
Signatories to this continent- linking transport infrastructure included the USA, the EU, India, Saudi Arabia and the UAE. The Sevington Inland Customs processing facility, at Ashford in Kent, is now fully operational and able to carry out Customs checks on items crossing the border, including the movement of more highly regulated goods such as live animals, as well as strategic exports and sanctioned goods. Along with a site in Holyhead, it will reduce HMRC’s dependence on commercial operators Dover Western Docks and Stop 24, which have handled Customs checks since the UK left the EU in 2020. IN THE WAREHOUSE The 2023 European Real Estate Logistics Census, published by Savills and Tritax EuroBox, revealed that respondents identified rising rents as the greatest concern amongst logistics occupiers this year, followed by access to labour and a lack of supply of new buildings. IN THE AIR In early September, IATA released its global air cargo data for July 2023, which highlighted a consistent pattern of recovery in growth rates, a trend that has been ongoing since February. IN BUSINESS In line with the push from various organisations and entities to move towards a digitised trade future, the FIT Alliance – made up of BIMCO, Digital Container Shipping Association (DCSA), FIATA, International Chamber of Commerce, and Swift – has announced the Declaration of the electronic Bill of Lading (eBL). This aims to secure a commitment from all stakeholders in international trade to collaborate in driving digitalisation to help streamline international trade, making it more efficient and dependable.
ON THE QUAYSIDE CNS, a DP World company, is introducing its CNS port community system (PCS) in UK ports, starting with Belfast. The PCS will replace Compass and offer HMRC compliance, enhanced ease of use, cross- platform integration, and adaptability to regulatory changes, whilst promoting data sharing, efficiency and resilience of the ports in a digital era, the company said. ON THE OCEAN Maritime UK, the collective voice for the UK’s maritime industries, used the London International Shipping Week, last month, to highlight the need for £2 billion of private
and public sector investment per year to deliver its target of decarbonising the maritime industry by 2050, and further support an ambition to become a global leader in decarbonisation.
duress and could become the targets of takeovers by global liners, according to a new report from Danish maritime consultancy Sea-Intelligence. After record-high volumes transported by sea in 2022, the first half of 2023 saw the container shipping market return to volumes slightly above 2020 levels, the shipping analyst Container Trade Statistics noted in its latest report. It presented figures showing volumes down by 3.6% compared with 2022. After a slow start, the use of telematics is gaining ground in container shipping and the sector now appears ready for tracking boxes, as falling unit costs make smart container devices viable for dry equipment, and carriers also see the benefits of managing their fleet inventory. OVERLAND The Loadstar website reported in September that European road freight spot prices had dropped below contract rates for the first time in six years. Feedback from operators active in the sector suggested the floor has yet to be hit. One of the key outcomes from last month’s G20 summit in New Delhi was the signing of a memorandum of understanding to create the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC).
Operators in the heavily fragmented intra-Asia
container shipping trades are coming under severe financial
4 | October 2023
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