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and crumbling cargo volumes continue to push up the amount of commercially idle tonnage. However, it added that this unemployed fleet is growing somewhat slower than expected. EU commences new air cargo declaration regime Ian Matheson, from Impress Communications, reviews some recent news that might impact on Members’ business
ON THE QUAYSIDE DP World saw a 5% rise in the volume of trade handled by its two hubs in the UK last year, with London Gateway reporting a 14% rise in volumes to 2,053,000 teu. This was the first time the port has exceeded 2 million units in a year, consolidating its position as Britain’s second biggest container terminal. OVERLAND The Upply, Ti and IRU European road freight rate index for Europe showed a spot rate fall of 2.4 index points in Q4 2022, compared with Q3 – the first fall in spot rates since Q1 2020. However, spot rates still remain up 18.1 points on Q4, 2021. IN BUSINESS A new UK Net Zero Transport for a Resilient Future Research Hub is to be launched to boost innovative measures to decarbonise and improve transport. Applications are being sought from organisations wanting to host the new hub, with the government pledging £10 million in funding to establish the UK centre of excellence for transport innovation. The centre will develop and implement innovative ideas to ensure future transport is resilient and meets the challenges of climate adaption, such as adjusting to changes in weather and water levels. Organisers of the Multimodal freight show and conference in Birmingham say that 2023 is on track to be the biggest event yet. Visitor demand for the exhibition – which takes place on 13-15 June at the NEC – has prompted early opening for registrations, resulting in a 100% spike in bookings compared with the same time last year.
IN THE AIR From 1 March, full entry summary declarations are needed for air cargo brought into Northern Ireland (NI) and EU member states. These must be submitted through Import Control System 2 (ICS2), which is a new safety and security declaration system being introduced across the EU, that will be implemented over three releases. Once all three releases are live, it will replace the ICS NI system. IATA has released data for global air freight markets showing that 2022 full-year demand for air cargo took a significant step back from 2021 levels, but was close to the 2019
performance. Full-year demand in 2022, measured in cargo tonne- kilometers, was down 8% compared with 2021, whilst capacity in 2022, measured in available cargo tonne-kilometers, was 3% above 2021.
February saw Boeing hand over the final 747 freighter to Atlas Air, the last of 1,574 to be manufactured at the company’s wide body factory in the USA. ON THE OCEAN 2M Alliance partners MSC and Maersk Line will end their vessel- sharing agreement in 2025, although there will be no immediate impact on services as the alliance will continue to operate as it has done since 2015 until the end date. PD Ports has secured an additional weekly sailing between Rotterdam, Botlek and Teesport thanks to continued collaboration with shipping line A2B-online, increasing sailings on the route to four times per week. The total number of containers handled via the route will increase to 40,000 per year. Shortsea line CLdN is to introduce a service between Zeebrugge and the Port of Tilbury, following the introduction of an additional chartered vessel, the 2,800 lane metre Tundraland, on its Zeebrugge/Rotterdam-UK routes. Alphaliner announced in February that even with slow steaming and the deferment of newbuilding deliveries, the falling freight rates
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March 2023
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