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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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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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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Air freight faces prolonged capacity constraints amid rising demand
The tightening capacity situation could continue for several years, with constrained availability of freighter aircraft and high demand driving up rates across key routes.
While air cargo demand has not yet surged during this year’s peak season, rates remain elevated due to the limited capac...
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November: North American market update
The North American freight market faces a complex set of challenges as ongoing labour disputes, potential trade policy shifts, and evolving service offerings reshape the landscape.
Canadian port strikes strain supply chain
Labour disputes have disrupted operations at Canada’s east and west ...
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North American Sea Freight Market Strained
The North American sea freight market faces ongoing challenges, with recent labour actions on the US East Coast fuelling local anxieties and adding congestion and capacity pressures on the West coast.
The three-day strike by the International Longshoremen’s Association (ILA) on the US East C...
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Sea Freight Outlook for 2025
The global sea freight market is set for another turbulent year in 2025, with rates likely to remain high despite anticipated softening in some lanes. Although new vessel deliveries are expected to bring additional capacity, a combination of geopolitical uncertainties and market reconfigurations ...
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Labour tensions rise on North America’s East coast
Ongoing labour disputes on the US East Coast and Canada’s Port of Montreal continue to threaten disruptions to North American supply chains.
The agreement between the ILA and the United States Maritime Alliance (USMX) on the US East coast (USEC) brings temporary relief, securing peace for th...
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Sea freight market review
The sea freight market in October 2024 is facing continued challenges from geopolitical tensions and industrial actions, with strikes on the US East and Gulf Coasts contributing to significant disruptions.
Although the three-day US East coast strike in early October has been resolved with a te...
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Road freight market sees failure and consolidation
The UK road freight market is facing severe pressures from rising operational expenses and ongoing labour shortages, with Q3 rates surging 10% year-on-year, reflecting widespread cost increases.
This tough economic climate has led to the failure of nearly half of all haulage companies launched...
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