The risks of President Trump’s trade policies
President Donald Trump’s inauguration speech and subsequent executive orders have provided further insights into his proposed trade policies.
His emphasis on protectionism, territorial expansion, and the establishment of an “External Revenue Service” marks a significant shift in the ap...
Read more
Container shipping braces for volatility as Red Sea routes beckon
For over a year attacks on merchant vessels by Houthi militants has forced container carriers to reroute around the Cape of Good Hope. However, a newly established ceasefire and assurances from Houthi forces to limit attacks on non-Israeli vessels signal the possibility of a return to the Suez Ca...
Read more
Asia–Europe airfreight: Growth and vulnerabilities
Despite growth and robust demand airfreight faces significant challenges, including reliance on eCommerce, capacity pressures, and geopolitical disruptions.
Airfreight demand on the Asia–Europe route saw a strong performance in 2024, bolstered by eCommerce, automotive parts, pharmaceuticals,...
Read more
ICS2 Phase 2: What you need to know and how we can help
On 4th December 2024, Phase 2 of the Import Control System 2 (ICS2) was deployed, requiring maritime and inland waterways house-level filers, including Metro, to directly submit detailed safety and security data to EU customs authorities.
ICS2 is the EU’s advanced customs system designed to ...
Read more
November 2024; Customs and compliance update
Our customs consultancy team provide insights on the latest changes, making it easier for you to stay on top of your planning and development needs.
To help us better support your compliance and efficiency goals, including duty/tax reclaims, we encourage you to click the button below to comple...
Read more
Enhanced groupage services to France and Germany
In our continued efforts to provide exceptional trans-European logistics solutions, we have recently upgraded our groupage services to France and Germany, offering greater speed and efficiency, alongside competitive rates and our top-tier customer care.
Our French groupage services continue to...
Read more
Ongoing labour disputes threaten global supply chains
While recent developments in India and Canada suggest some relief from labour disputes, the threat of strikes continues to loom over port operations and global supply chains. The situation remains precarious, especially with the added complications from Red Sea diversions, which could magnify the...
Read more
Import Control System 2
Enhancing supply chain security and safety, Import Control System 2 (ICS2) is the Import Control system for movements both ways between the UK and the EU, including Norway, Switzerland, and Northern Ireland.
Based on similar worldwide systems that pre-declare shipments, to determine risk, secu...
Read more
Europe may experience its own near-shoring boom
As planes descend into Monterrey airport, an expanse of warehouses and manufacturing complexes stretches out for miles, exemplifying the near-shoring boom that has swept through Mexico in recent years, as Asian companies and their supply chains move closer to the United States.
Drivers of Mexi...
Read more
Port congestion (amongst other things) continues to push rates up
With increasing amounts of ocean freight capacity soaked up by COGH (Cape of Good Hope) diversions and port congestion, spot rates are spiking, with indexes up significantly on 2023 and market led spot/FAK rates up by nearly 500%. Now, carriers desperate for ships and more capacity are setting n...
Read more
US tariff increases on China EV’s have wider ramifications
Only 2% of US electric vehicle (EV) imports come from China and while economists ponder how effective President Biden’s new 100% tariff will be in protecting US markets, it is likely that EV flows will be redirected to Europe by manufacturers eager to exploit profitable markets.
On the 14th ...
Read more
Summer 2024; France supply chain alert
This summer, a number of large-scale sporting events are likely to create some supply chain disruption, with the Olympic and Paralympic Games taking place in Paris between the 26th of July to the 11th of August, and the 28th of August to the 8th of September.
The Paris 2024 Olympic Games, whic...
Read more