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Container lines set for record profits again Ian Matheson, from Impress Communications, reviews some recent news that might impact on Members’ business
developments in road freight prices, reveals the Ti/Upply/IRU Road Freight Rate Benchmark for Q2 2022, which reports that the European contract road freight rate index reached an all-time high of 121 points, up 6.1 points quarter- on-quarter and 13.1 points year-on-year. The European spot road freight rate index also reached a record high of 134 points, up 11.8 points from Q1 2022 and 20.1 points from Q2 2021. The Department for Transport is seeking views on potential changes to driving licence flexibility regarding vans that are powered by alternative fuels. A consultation running until 4 October is focusing on the additional training that drivers must complete to gain driving licence flexibility; the types of vehicles that should be eligible; the towing allowance of these vehicles; and the powertrains that should be eligible. ON THE QUAYSIDE Strong post-COVID-19 performance by global shipping lines has led to a reassessment of the viability of greenfield terminals by global terminal operators (GTOs), which now have an increased appetite for such higher-risk projects to deliver long-term growth says consultancy Drewry. However, it added that the majority (70%) of GTO investment plans remained focused on existing assets.
ON THE OCEAN The world’s biggest container lines are on course to post profits in 2022 of around US$256 billion, topping last year’s record by 73%, according to a new forecast from Blue Alpha Capital. The profits have been buoyed by logistics and labour strains that are squeezing capacity amid sustained US demand for imports. The European Commission has launched a call for evidence, inviting feedback on the performance of the EU legal framework which exempts liner shipping consortia from EU antitrust rules. Targeted questionnaires have been sent to
carriers, shippers, freight forwarders and port and terminal operators on the impact of consortia between liner shipping companies. Peel Ports Group says there has been a substantial increase in trade on its unaccompanied freight service between Calais and its port of Sheerness, with the route
experiencing a 30% increase in volumes between April and June this year, compared with the last six months of 2021, in the wake of the suspension of P&O Ferries services in Dover, with individual sailings often carrying more than 200 vehicles. IN THE AIR Air cargo demand was down in July as economic and political uncertainties continued to affect the air cargo market, CLIVE Data Services reported. Month volumes were down 9% year-on-year and down 9% compared with 2019, whilst capacity was 4% above 2021 but still 11% below 2019, causing the dynamic load factor to drop 8 percentage points to 58%. The Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport – CILT(UK) – has released a briefing paper on air freight in the UK that reviews the current nature of the air freight sector. It aims to highlight areas where government and industry policymakers can assist with the progress required to support UK cargo aviation. Registration is now open for the IATA World Cargo Symposium, which will be held from 27-29 September at the Excel Centre in East London. OVERLAND Inflation, weakening demand, social instability and the war in Ukraine are leading to tumultuous
IN BUSINESS August saw the launch by
government and the logistics sector of Generation Logistics, a campaign that aims to tackle the industry’s long-term recruitment issues and future-proof the industry’s talent pipeline. Generation Logistics is sponsored by the Department for Transport along with companies from all sides of the industry, including BIFA. It will raise awareness of an industry often overlooked by those seeking employment and challenge their pre-conceptions about what working in logistics can offer.
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September 2022
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