Category: Coronavirus

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

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

Despite the continuing lockdowns in the UK and overseas, blanked voyages and grounded aircraft, Metro Shipping is planning, uplifting and transporting medical, PPE and non-essentials cargo by air and sea. Globally Metro ship 350,000 teu containers (FCL) each year and have core carrier agreemen... Read more

Even with the continuing lockdown, we’ll be looking forward to the forthcoming May bank holiday in the UK, but have you considered the supply chain impact of China’s labour day holidays and the month of Ramadan, which may start this Friday. Every supply chain manager sourcing from China wi... Read more

While UK ports continue to operate relatively normally, despite the closure of many importers, Bangladesh is running out of reefer plugs and US ports are preparing to offer temporary storage ahead of an anticipated May surge. It is looking likely that Bangladesh will be the pandemics next supp... Read more