Category: Supply Chain

Bangladesh’s garment industry determined to rebuild global confidence

As factories reopen, truck movements increase, and key logistics operations resume, Bangladesh’s garment industry is determined to recover and win back their customers’ confidence. Rail freight operations resumed on Monday, 12th August, and airports, container freight stations, terminals, ... Read more

Container ship fires trigger operational and financial risks

The temporary closure of the Beilun Phase III Terminal at Ningbo (one of the world’s busiest container ports) following an explosion on the YM Mobility on the 9th of August, is yet another example of the fragility of global supply chains and the inevitable ripple effects such events have on shi... Read more

Economic momentum for UK businesses in 2024

With increasing confidence, improving trade prospects, and a focus on stability, the environment is ripe for businesses to capitalise on opportunities. Data from multiple sources shows positive trends, underscoring the resilience and potential of the UK economy. Business confidence reaches new... Read more

Bangladesh supply chain disruptions

Bangladesh's Prime Minister, Sheikh Hasina, arrived in India this week following the army's seizure of power after violent riots. This development adds another challenge to global supply chains, with the world’s third-largest garment exporter now experiencing the world’s longest vessel berthi... Read more

Asia westbound market update

Air and sea freight from Asia continues to demonstrate remarkable resilience and growth, fuelled by robust demand, strategic capacity management, and dynamic trade routes, with India recording significant increases, driven by pro-industry government initiatives, eCommerce, and manufacturing growt... Read more

US market update: Navigating high demand and looming strikes

Shippers in the US are currently navigating a particularly challenging landscape, marked by elevated air cargo demand and looming threats of labour strikes on the East and Gulf coasts. Air Cargo Air cargo on the main trade lanes out of Asia remains in peak season mode. The situation is driven... Read more

European market review and group developments

The European freight market continues to face a complex landscape, characterised by fluctuating demand and evolving capacity challenges. In this review, we examine the current state of the road freight market and highlight recent group developments, including the acquisition of a Portuguese inter... Read more

Rising lorry thefts prompt calls for government action

The Road Haulage Association (RHA) has urged the government to establish a specific offence for freight crime and to develop more secure truck stops. This call comes in response to organised crime gangs (OCGs) increasingly targeting cargo, with over £1 million worth of goods stolen in a single i... Read more

Bangladesh Lockdown Easing

Peaceful protests by university students against a government job quota system favouring relatives of war veterans escalated into nationwide violence last week, resulting in over 150 deaths, communication blackouts, and curfews. Today, Bangladesh began to gradually lift the curfew imposed last Th... Read more

Record volumes raise concerns for peak season

Global demand for ocean freight container shipping has surged to unprecedented levels, surpassing even the peak during the Covid pandemic and comes when available capacity is already strained due to diversions around Africa, leading to concerns that any peak season demand could be calamitous. ... Read more

Global IT outage disrupts supply chains

On Friday, a faulty update to Microsoft software by cyber-security firm Crowdstrike, saw global supply chain operations significantly disrupted, with the fallout expected to take weeks to fully resolve. Thousands of flights were grounded or delayed at major air freight hubs in Europe, Asia, an... Read more

SECURITY UPDATE: Red Sea

The recent sinking of the Prestige Falcon oil tanker, following a Houthi attack, marks the deadliest incident involving these strikes to date. The vessel capsized near the Omani coastal city of Duqm, and while the Indian Navy rescued nine of the 16 crew members, one was found deceased, and six... Read more