News & Insights

Despite sharp drops in cargo volumes and fuel prices, freight rates have remained stable as the container shipping lines demonstrated their ability to control the market and there is no sign that they intend to let go. Reduced demand has so far not translated into lower prices for customers of... Read more

The vast numbers of blanked sailings, in response to dwindling demand caused by the pandemic, on the Asia to Europe trade lane is three times greater than normal and means that calls to UK ports are down 30%. Despite the increasing numbers of cancelled sailings, the impact for Metro’s custom... Read more

We reported a month ago that historic low fuel costs was tempting shipping lines to cut out the Suez Canal and sail the long way around Africa’s Cape of Good Hope, in a move that adds 7-10 days to the usual transit, but would save them millions by avoiding the toll charges. The Canal is moving ... Read more

Metro’s Outsourcing solutions include a total documentation service that embraces commercial, compliance and financial requirements. Managing the Business Process & Outsource (BPO) functions, Julie Dale works with teams in the UK, India and Malaysia, to meet the evolving needs of internal a... Read more

Despite the continuing movement of UK freight and supply chain operations being specified as ‘essential’ by the government, the Covid-19 pandemic and lockdown is diminishing the effectiveness of infrastructure and operations. Port, airports, rail and intermodal terminals are operating norm... Read more

Following European complaints of defective medical equipment, Chinese authorities have tightened quality controls and increased customs inspections, in a move that has led to rising air cargo costs and congestion in South China. New regulations include yesterday’s announcement by China’s M... Read more

Most businesses are complicated to manage in the best of times. The Coronavarius pandemic is exposing weaknesses and issues, that technology will cure. This successful business operates eight production plants in the UK, Europe, Russia, Malaysia and Brazil, selling products into almost 100 cou... Read more

The COVID-19 pandemic has had an unprecedented impact on the world, with us facing an uncertain future. Metro believe that the most effective way to eradicate uncertainty and doubt is knowledge, which is why we produce our regular supply chain bulletins and why we share this information platform,... Read more

Even under social distancing, forwarders like Metro Shipping are the “Architects of Trade”, keeping fragile trade lanes open in the midst of a pandemic that has left the world economy reeling, according to Basil Pietersen, president of the International Federation of Freight Forwarders Associ... Read more

In today’s uncertain times, blank sailings and unreliable sailing schedules are becoming the new norm, underlining the importance of resilient, flexible and transparent supply chains and real-time information. The pandemic has highlighted the need for supply chain visibility and the need for... Read more

The extensive programme of cancelled sailings, by shipping lines on the Asia to Europe trade, will removed almost a third of capacity in the coming weeks and the impact is starting to be felt at origin ports across Asia The deteriorating global economic outlook has seen carriers make extensive... Read more

Technology is one of Metro’s four key service pillars - together with forwarding, supply chain and outsourcing - and a unique selling point for the business. As Technical Solutions Director, Simon George is in a critical role, leading the businesses technology strategy and driving the team that... Read more