Industry News
Ian Matheson, from Impress Communications, reviews some recent news that might impact on Members’ business
Shanghai remains world’s busiest container port
Maersk as the world’s largest container shipping line with a fleet of 645 units and a combined capacity of almost 4.3 million teu. While Maersk’s fleet shrank by 112,500 teu or 2.7% in 2023, MSC added a little more than 1 million teu of capacity over the same period. The average sailing speed of containerships reduced from 14.3 knots in 2022 to 13.9 knots in 2023 and could fall further in 2024, says BIMCO, adding that this lowers the efficiency of the fleet and that 3-4% of extra capacity may have to be deployed to ensure that the 2024 volume increase can be accommodated. Using its existing fleet of ships, which have capacities of around 850 to 1,000 teu, WEC Lines is launching a direct service connecting Agadir in Morocco with the port of Liverpool to provide a fast and environmentally friendly alternative for importers of fresh produce. The US Federal Maritime Commission (FMC) will hold an informal public hearing on 7 February focusing on the impact of attacks on commercial shipping in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden. This will provide a platform for supply chain stakeholders to share their experiences and strategies and allow the Commission to gather information on new and related issues subject to FMC statutes, such as implementing contingency fees and surcharges. IN BUSINESS Organisers of Multimodal 2024 report a surge in bookings for this year's exhibition, which is taking place from 11-13 June 2024 at the NEC in Birmingham. BIFA’s Freight Forwarder Village will take centre stage once again. Registration for free visitor places for the show is now open at the following url: https://multimodal- 2024.reg.buzz
ON THE QUAYSIDE The port of Shanghai
emissions, weight and time spent in the country. The survey also found drivers are unsure where the money is going. Road freight in Europe must almost entirely decarbonise by 2050, a challenge made even more daunting given that demand for truck services is expected to triple over the same timeframe. The International Road Transport Union has now concluded that a combination of efficiency measures and alternative fuels is the best way to achieve this carbon neutrality goal, being the least disruptive and most cost-effective
compared with a heavier focus on electrification or hydrogen power. IN THE AIR Global air cargo tonnages contracted 5% in 2023 year- on-year (YoY), according to figures published by WorldACD Market Data. However, the 9% fall seen in the first half of 2023, YoY, was counter-balanced by improving YoY performance for each consecutive month from July, with the period closing flat compared with 2022. IATA has released data for November 2023 global air cargo markets indicating demand was up 8.3% on 2022 — the strongest year-on-year growth in almost two years. It doubled October’s 3.8% increase and was a fourth month of positive market development. Capacity, measured in available cargo tonne-kilometres (ACTK), was up 13.7% compared with November 2022 due to the increase in belly capacity as international passenger markets continue their post- Covid recovery. ON THE OCEAN P&O Ferries is launching a new ro-ro freight route between starting March 2024, which the company says will bolster its network, creating five hubs - Hull, Teesport, Tilbury, Zeebrugge and Europoort. It will also increase the number of connections between England’s northeast and southeast with Continental Europe. London (Tilbury 2) and Rotterdam (Europoort), According to Alphaliner, MSC has taken the crown from
maintained its position as the world’s busiest container port in 2023 with a 3.6% increase in volumes to 49 million teu, 1.7million teu higher than the throughput in 2022. OVERLAND Most drivers want funds raised through the HGV levy to be reinvested into better truck stop facilities and higher security measures, with more stops available across the UK, according to a survey carried out by digital marketplace SNAP. The levy was reintroduced on 1 August 2023, with a new emphasis on
4 | February 2024
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