China makes too much, but production is moving
The West says China makes too much, but many manufacturers have moved production to other countries to cut costs, leaving once prosperous manufacturing hubs like Dongguan struggling to adjust.
In recent years workers began to demand higher wages, while companies began cutting prices in order t...
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Environment matters
Managed well, supply chains reduce costs and enhance profitability, but the impact of climate change has highlighted the importance of sustainability and the need to improve supply chains to protect our ecosystem and preserve natural resources for future generations.
The supply chain plays ...
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Supporting the Monsoon Accessorize Trust
The Monsoon Accessorize (MA) Trust was formed in 1994 to give back to the communities that the business source from. It has financed 262 sustainable development projects around the world, to deliver life-changing support to over 240,000 people and with your support it could do even more.
Helpi...
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Red Sea crisis expanding and growing
After the longest period of attack-free shipping in the Red Sea since December, the situation in the region is escalating, with an increase in Houthi attacks, fears that the ‘danger area’ may be expanding into the Arabian Sea and Indian Ocean and an Iranian vessel hijack off the Gulf of Oman....
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Red Sea, garments and eCommerce among factors driving up airfreight rates
Traditionally airfreight rates would soften at this time, as the start of the airline passenger summer season adds significant amounts of belly-hold airfreight capacity on long-haul routes, but pockets of high volumes are pushing rates up.
Globally, the air cargo market is experiencing rising ...
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Strengthening global partnerships: India
Metro’s main board recently completed a multi-city tour across India, as part of a strategy to fortify existing partnerships with key suppliers and to carve out new avenues for growth, by direct engagement with prospective customers.
The visit spanned several major cities including Mumbai an...
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UK and EU customs border changes
ICS2 advance filings will be used by EU customs to identify high-risk shipments from the 3rd June, while post-Brexit import charges which come into effect on the 30th April have raised fears of UK food price inflation.
The UK Common User Charge (CUC)
The CUC will apply to each commodity line ...
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Metro is a certified Great Place to Work
Metro has been officially certified as a Great Place to Work, in an accreditation that recognises our commitment to create an outstanding, rewarding workplace, with a strong focus on building a positive culture and supporting individuals.
Great Place To Work (GPTW) Certification recognises em...
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The Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism
There are 195 signatories to the Paris Agreement to limit their greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, though some including the EU and UK have undertaken to cut carbon emissions faster than others.
The EU’s Emissions Trading System (ETS) continuously expands to include new sectors to encourage ind...
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Red Sea update
The last three months of 2023 were some of the worst for liner shipping’s finances in recent years, while early volume indications for this year suggest the coming months could bring stronger trading conditions for shipping lines, especially with the Red Sea diversions and capacity management t...
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Baltimore supply chain contingencies
In Baltimore work to remove the 9,662 TEU vessel Dali and damaged bridge has begun, with seven floating cranes and 30 vessels on scene, but with 4,000 tons of steel pinning the ship to the riverbed port officials suggest vessel diversions could last three months.
The bridge collapse will mean ...
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MPC Maintain the status quo…for now
On the 21st March the Bank of England’s Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) surprised no one by holding interest rates at 5.25% for the fifth time in a row, with eight of nine committee members voting to leave rates unchanged in March.
Despite maintaining the current status quo Andrew Bailey, ...
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