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chain to have a more comprehensive approach to halting the trend. It has recently updated its guidance publication Book it Right, Pack it Tight , whilst planning to continue with a series of seminars on the subject in 2023. RFG urges GBR to drive rail freight growth Ian Matheson, from Impress Communications, reviews some recent news that might impact on Members’ business
OVERLAND The Railfreight Group (RFG) has called for an ambitious target to be set for Great British Railways (GBR)
Maritime consultancy Drewry is urging shippers to start planning for decarbonisation in shipping. It warns of up to US$14 billion in extra costs associated with the pressure to decarbonise and reduce emissions of greenhouse gases across all sectors, not just shipping. IN BUSINESS With margins under pressure and labour in short supply, some see an emerging sea change in the traditional freight forwarder-client relationship around automation. Some forwarders are looking to invest in automation first and then pitch their solutions to potential clients, rather than to win a contract and then possibly install automation if appropriate for efficient and profitable execution. ON THE QUAYSIDE Container depots face a flood of unwanted boxes as retailer inventories run high and demand continues to weaken. Some container depots across Europe are turning business away due to capacity issues and industry experts warn that pressure on depots is set to increase, with the
to drive rail freight growth. Responding to the Call for
Evidence from the GBR Transition Team, RFG highlighted the potential for freight growth and the need for GBR to work with the private sector freight operators and customers to bring more goods to rail. IN THE AIR Global air cargo demand in September, measured in cargo tonne-kilometers, fell 10.6% compared with September 2021 (also -10.6% for international
operations), according to IATA data released in November. Demand continued to track at near pre- pandemic levels (-3.6%), whilst
capacity was 2.4% above September 2021 (+5.0% for international operations) but still 7.4% below September 2019 levels (-8.1% for international operations). Aircraft manufacturers are predicting that the next two decades will see a rapid increase in demand for air cargo. However some experts believe this optimism may be overhyped, saying the long- term view of bullish air freight demand may be offset by the near and medium-term challenges posed by a host of macroeconomic and geopolitical issues. Speaking at TIACA’s Air Cargo Forum event in Miami, Boeing vice president commercial marketing Darren Hulst said the last couple of years have confirmed the importance of maintaining supply chain connectivity through the use of freighters. The pandemic confirmed once and for all that more than half of air cargo traffic will in future be carried by dedicated freighters. ON THE OCEAN With serious fires occurring on containerships every 60 days on average, TT Club is once again calling for everyone in the supply
further release of container inventory into the market.
Strikes affecting container operations at the port of Liverpool have come to an end after Peel Ports and Unite the union struck a pay deal in mid-November. Forth Ports’ operations in Grangemouth and Tilbury have welcomed five and seven new low emission Kalmar straddle carriers, respectively, as part of a multimillion-pound investment in equipment for the group’s key container terminals.
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December 2022
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