Freight industry award finalists
The British International Freight Association (BIFA) is the trade association for the freight, logistics and supply chain management sector. Their annual Freight Service Awards are the industry’s most contested and highly sought trade awards, because peer recognition is the ultimate accolade.
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General Red Sea Update
The US and UK carried out eight strikes on Houthi targets in Yemen on Monday, as the Iran-aligned armed group continues to target commercial shipping in the Red Sea, with no sign that the conflict will de-escalate anytime soon.
While many hoped that the situation in the Red Sea might be a shor...
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Insurers withdraw war risk cover
Since December 2023, nearly 30 commercial vessels transiting the Red Sea have faced missile strikes or near misses from the Yemen-based Houthis, including container ships owned by Maersk, MSC and CMA CGM.
As of last week, 550 container ships have been diverted away from the Suez Canal or are p...
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Red Sea diversions disrupt China’s car supply chains
Carmakers had been struggling with a lack of car carrier RoRo capacity before the Houthi attacks began in the Red Sea and now with NYK and K Line suspending sailings via the Suez Canal nearly all big car car-carrier operators are diverting round the Cape of Good Hope, further reducing already squ...
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Red Sea Crisis; Situation Report, Wednesday 17th Jan
Despite coalition military action, Houthi rebels continue to attack commercial shipping and with container shipping line’ schedules showing Cape of Good Hope routing for vessels into early February and beyond, it is clear that they do not expect short-term access through the Suez Canal and Red ...
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Supply chain: Ukraine crisis
UPDATED 2nd March: Russia's invasion of Ukraine and subsequent sanctions and embargoes by the UK and other governments, will add further strain to international supply chains, that are still struggling with the protracted COVID pandemic and other disruption.
The conflict is already impacting c...
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Yantian port disruption widens with global ripple effects
While some container shipping lines will continue calling at Yantian, other carriers have already diverted ships as the port’s operations have deteriorated, with Maersk warning that delays are now expected to last two weeks.
The Yantian congestion is yet another disruption to global shipping...
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Air freight rates show no sign of softening despite dip in demand in May
Current supply and demand dynamics will maintain elevated prices through peak season and into 2022, with analysts predicting systemic market changes that will keep rates at an elevated level in the long term.
The rate of air freight rate growth has slowed on many routes, since peaking at the b...
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Sea freight rates continue rise
Monitored ocean Freight all Kinds (FAK) rates rose yet again this week from their already record-high levels, across all major East-West trades, up 518% on their level a year ago into Northern Europe and expected to remain on the higher side due to port congestion, huge demand and lack of e...
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UK exports hit by EU and US tariffs
Despite the tariff-free deal agreed with the EU, up to £3.5bn of British exports have already had taxes applied and the US has introduced new tariffs worth $2bn on European goods, including products from the UK.
British goods worth billions of pounds, accounting for about 10% of British expor...
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Suez Canal Closure Latest – Important Operational Update – Please Read
At approximately 15:00 today The Ever Given has been successfully refloated within the Suez Canal and is currently leaving the grounding site with the assistance of tugboats. As soon as she is clear of the Canal, the authorities will resume normal operation and start to clear the hundreds of vess...
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Lines set to impose new round of increased fuel surcharges for Q2
The sea freight bunker industry has been undergoing significant change since the introduction of the IMO2020 rule and the impact of measures taken in response to the Coronavirus pandemic have contributed to major shifts in oil market dynamics, with rising prices encouraging shipping lines to incr...
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