Global sea freight latest weekly update
The leading container shipping lines believe that global port and inland infrastructure congestion could last until after the summer peak season and the blanked sailings keep on coming.
The lines’ view is that supply chain disruptions are “temporary issues”, which would be resolved in th...
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Q1 review & Q2 sea freight market report
Time never stands still in global logistics, and as we come towards the end of the first quarter of the year (Q1) and approach the second (Q2), we take a moment to reflect on how 2021 has started, and how we see the deep sea markets further adjusting and progressing as we move into the next perio...
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RoRo fleet confidence returns
The backbone of global automotive transport is the RORO pure car carrier (PCC) or pure car/truck carrier (PCTC), with the largest capable of carrying over 8,000 cars. In a sign that confidence is returning to the automotive industry, the biggest carriers are investing in their fleets and bringing...
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US West Coast operation latest from our colleagues on the ground
Local knowledge is invaluable, which is why we are indebted to our joint venture partners at Fracht USA for providing us with their comprehensive intelligence.
Specialists in complex and turnkey movements for the energy, technology and gas sectors, our joint venture partner Fracht operates out...
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Why the smart money’s on Metro
Relevant, reliable and credible services, that are consistent and proven to deliver.
Historically the biggest volume shippers (BCOs), like supermarkets and the large manufacturers, have contracted directly with the shipping lines, to provide the lines’ base loads, leaving the remaining vesse...
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US continued port congestion latest
Congestion at ports on both sides of North America remains a severe issue, though our colleagues in the US advise us that vessel queues may be easing this week in some areas.
Three blanked sailings by the Ocean Alliance should relieve some pressure on US ports, but are putting upward pressure ...
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Emirates launch sea-air product ahead of demand
Key Metro partner Emirates SkyCargo and DP World have launched a sea/air product, increasing the range of services we can offer, ahead of a likely post-lockdown demand surge.
The Dubai-based companies are offering complementary sea/air services, which can expedite the transfer of containers fr...
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UK ports axed while Europe’s thrive
While the world’s biggest shipping lines grow weary of Felixstowe and the UK’s primary ports, due to continuing congestion wrecking their vessel schedules, Europe’s hub ports are strengthening their market positions through giant mergers, in moves that may actually benefit UK shippers.
O...
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Vessel fuel prices jump, with BAF likely to follow
After a massive spike in fuel prices, in the run up to IMO 2020, marine fuel prices collapsed as the COVID pandemic took hold, but have been increasing rapidly in recent weeks, raising fears of BAF increases.
The IMO’s global emissions regulations - IMO2020 - which impacted the global contai...
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Continuing demand from Asia prompts some unusual responses
The shortage of container ships and record-breaking freight rates has prompted some carriers to come up with new and creative alternatives.
The continued demand for sea freight space, that started last May, and the ensuing volume crisis, caused by a shortage of vessel availability and empty co...
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Global shipping; record-breaking congestion
The economic turmoil triggered by the continuing pandemic, has disrupted global container shipping through 2020, with port congestion battering the shipping lines’ schedules and wiping out reliability.
Port congestion began in Asia, as the first Coronavirus waves passed last May and factorie...
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Challenges for shippers, pre and post Chinese New Year
Shanghai and Yantian port disruption, refusal of heavy weight containers onto quay and the serious issue of drivers returning home ahead of CNY, due to Government enforced covid related travel restrictions are bad enough, and now the signs are the shipping lines will do everything possible to mai...
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