2024: Reflecting on a Dynamic Year in Global Supply Chains
As 2024 comes to an end, we look back at a year filled with extraordinary events that shaped the global supply chain landscape. From geopolitical challenges to shifts in logistics trends, the past year has underscored the importance of resilience, adaptability, and innovation in our industry.
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Preparing for Chinese New Year: Avoiding supply chain disruption in 2025
Chinese New Year (CNY) is a time of celebration across China but presents significant challenges for shippers and careful planning is essential to navigate the disruption effectively.
In 2025, the holiday officially runs from 29th January to 4th February, with its effects on production and log...
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US businesses prepare for ILA strike threat and Trump’s China tariffs
Retailers and shippers are bracing for operational disruptions and cost increases as the January 2025 deadline for the International Longshoremen’s Association (ILA) negotiations looms, alongside the threat of new tariffs on Chinese imports from President-elect Donald Trump.
This combination...
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Air freight situation and outlook for 2025
Global air freight market continues to experience robust growth, driven by eCommerce and the peak season, but faces capacity constraints due to reduced belly cargo capacity and a limited supply of wide-body freighters, particularly on key trade routes.
Demand rose 10% year on year in November,...
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Road freight market update and Metro review
The road freight market in the UK and Europe is grappling with structural cost challenges, evolving regulations, and capacity constraints, while Metro’s road freight division continues to expand, delivering innovative solutions and outperforming market trends.
In the UK and Europe, road frei...
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Sea freight situation and outlook for 2025
With 2024 characterised by elevated freight rates and fluctuating dynamics, the container shipping lines have emerged as the primary financial beneficiaries, leveraging rate increases and stabilisation efforts to maintain profitability.
The outlook for 2025 presents a mixed landscape of opport...
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Metro spreads festive cheer with staff gifts and charitable giving
This Christmas, Metro is celebrating the festive season by showing appreciation for its staff and supporting those in need through meaningful charitable initiatives.
The company has partnered with Booni Box, a social enterprise dedicated to creating environmentally friendly, personalised gifts...
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Shipping lines blank sailings from Asia to support rates
Container carriers operating between Asia, Europe, and the United States are leaning heavily on blank sailings to manage capacity and stabilise freight rates amidst ongoing market challenges.
With a significant proportion of scheduled sailings cancelled, this strategy has become a defining fea...
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The potential impact of the new US administration on global trade
As the United States, and the world, braces for potential shifts in trade policy, new tariff proposals and ongoing supply chain challenges are reshaping the global logistics landscape.
President-Elect Trump’s threatened trade tariffs, along with geopolitical and operational pressures, are dr...
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Maersk leave Felixstowe as shipping Alliances prepare for launch
The container shipping industry is undergoing significant realignments, with three major alliances and MSC operating independently, restructuring their networks to enhance efficiency and reliability.
These alliance changes represent a major shift in container shipping, affecting global trade r...
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Metro enters UK publishing industry with seasoned expertise
Metro has announced its entry into the UK publishing industry, a sector that has experienced robust growth and significant challenges in recent years.
Supported by senior publishing logistics executive, Declan Fallon, with over 40 years of experience, Metro aims to bring its advanced logistics...
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FTSE 100 firms identify supply chain threats as a principal risk
A recent study by the Boston Consulting Group, reveals that 72% of FTSE 100 companies now identify supply chain threats as a principal risk to their operations.
This heightened concern follows significant disruptions such as the Suez Canal blockage, the COVID-19 pandemic, and the Red Sea shipp...
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