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.
RHA highlights need for 40,000 new drivers a year
ON THE QUAYSIDE CK Hutchison has reached an agreement with Blackrock, Global Infrastructure Partners (part of Blackrock) and TiL (a subsidiary of MSC) to sell 80% of its ports division for USD22.8 billion in a deal that covers 43 ports in 23 countries, including Felixstowe, Thamesport and Harwich. However, recent reports from China have cast doubts about the deal being completed. Thurrock Council has approved a new 10-year local development order (LDO) to support the expansion of DP World’s London Gateway Logistics Park. The LDO streamlines planning, allowing new developments to be approved in 28 days. IN THE AIR Tiaca is expecting air cargo demand to grow by 5% in 2025, but has warned of an “elevating risk” to its growth expectations. Tiaca director general Glyn Hughes said that the growth projection was based on economic stability being at its highest level for several years, but cautioned that there was a “mild level of risk” to its growth projection “but it is starting to elevate”. IATA has revealed its latest data on global air freight markets, reporting strong growth in demand during January. IATA said that total demand for air cargo, measured in cargo tonne- kilometres (CTK), increased by 3.2% in January 2025 compared with the same month in 2024, with international operations showing a slightly higher growth of 3.6%. Figures released by Xeneta show that in February air cargo demand increased by 4% year on year. The dynamic load factor was flat at 59%, and the average spot freight rate was up 10% to USD2.53 per kg.
OVERLAND A new report from the Road Haulage Association (RHA) entitled ‘Lorry drivers – the vital link – attracting, training and retaining key workers in the UK supply chain’ highlights the need for 40,000 new drivers per year over the next five years. Plans for the £750 million Hinckley National Rail Freight Interchange (HNRFI) in Leicestershire, which was mentioned in last month's news round-up, have been refused by the government which ruled that the expected
benefits were outweighed by the potential negative impacts. ON THE OCEAN A group of supply chain smart technology providers – including ORBCOMM, Traxens, Nexxiot, Hoopo, Globe Tracker
and Arviem – has formed the Smart Container Alliance to drive the adoption of smart container technology to help enhance cargo traceability, fortify maritime trade, and support global enforcement agencies in combating criminal networks. A2B-online Container has added a fifth weekly sailing on its service between Thamesport and Moerdijk in the Netherlands, whilst Viasea Shipping has relaunched its shortsea container service between the UK port and Northern Europe, including the Baltic, calling every Saturday. Reports in March suggested that DFDS is keen to restart a freight and passenger ferry service between Rosyth in Scotland and Dunkirk in France later this year. The service would increase freight connectivity and expand route options for goods moving between Scotland and mainland Europe. The trade media carried reports that according to data from eeSea, the Gemini Cooperation, a partnership between Hapag-Lloyd and Maersk, recorded a 91% schedule reliability rate in its first month of operation, surpassing the Premier and Ocean alliances.
4 | April 2025
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