News & Insights

Our alerts, news and guides embrace all transport modes and explore global developments across all aspects of the supply chain, to keep you informed and guide decision making.

UK government funds 11,000 new HGV drivers

HGV driver numbers have shrunk by a quarter since 2019, creating a supply chain crisis that has accelerated post-Brexit, with an estimated shortage of between 40,000 and 100,000 lorry drivers, leaving gaps on shelves and triggering October’s petrol crisis. Transport within the UK, Europe and... Read more

2021; a year of supply chain challenges

All around the world, companies have been impacted by supply chain challenges in 2021. With the pandemic’s disruption exacerbated by ‘Black Swan events', from Brexit, to the Suez Canal blockage, we have been working tirelessly to help our customers overcome these challenges and share critical... Read more

Freight market report – December 2021

With supply chains battling through overwhelmed transport systems, material shortages, and infrastructure disruptions for close on two years, we asked our partners in seven key markets to share their thoughts on critical operational elements, including demand, capacity and rates.  BANGLAD... Read more

Critical Christmas considerations

Current supply chain stresses and Christmas holiday dates are combining to create specific festive challenges, that may impact your supply chain, which is why we have compiled those most likely to have an operational or financial impact.  As we come towards the close of the year we are fa... Read more

Road freight costs up over a third

Market data suggests that road transport pricing may be stabilising after record increases, but is likely to remain at elevated levels for some time, due to continuing shortages of freight transport HGV drivers and limited capacity. UK road freight prices appear to be stabilising after rising ... Read more

First autonomous and emission-free container ship

Yara Birkeland, the world's first all-electric and emission-free container ship has completed its maiden voyage in Norway, travelling nine miles, from Porsgrunn to the port of Brevik, in the Oslo fjord. The fully electric and self-propelled 120 teu container ship will cut 1,000 tonnes of ... Read more

Manufacturing costs highest in 30 years

UK manufacturers continue to face a challenging operating environment, with stretched supply chains, disrupted production schedules and increasing component and raw material prices. The manufacturing sector saw growth slow down last month, with surging material costs and staff shorta... Read more

Airport congestion stunting air cargo growth

Disrupted cargo handling and congestion on the ground muted air cargo’s growth in November, with volumes falling by -1.2% in a month that is traditionally one of the busiest, in the peak build-up to Christmas.  Last month’s fall in volumes compared to October 2021 came despite a +0.5%... Read more

Maersk ‘blanking’ Felixstowe until March from/to Asia

Delays in receiving and turning vessels around, apparently due to continuing land-side operational disruptions, has prompted 2M partners Maersk and MSC to extend Felixstowe’s omission from the AE7/Condor loop until next March. The world's largest container shipping alliance, 2M, has announce... Read more

Supply chains face Omicron challenge both in UK and globally…

The Omicron variant is likely to be another test of supply chain resilience and could pose a threat to global economic recovery, particularly if China enforces its ‘zero-COVID’ policy, to prevent cases entering. Yesterday evening’s announcement by the prime minister, Boris Johnson, of a ... Read more

Port congestion eases, but challenges will continue to remain

Asia’s largest ports are showing signs that congestion is easing ahead of the Christmas holiday season, with Shanghai traffic declining 0.2%, Hong Kong ship count dropping 10.4% and Singapore dropping 14.7% according to an analysis by Bloomberg. While any easing of volume is welcome, Bloombe... Read more

Mega Felixstowe DC offers so much more than space – it’s UNIque

With warehouse space becoming increasingly scarce, access to 100,000 pallet spaces would be welcomed by most shippers. The new group Mega Distribution Centre beside Felixstowe port, offers the smart executive access to plenty of space and the opportunity to cut costs, simplify processes and impro... Read more