March 2020

Unreasonable rates? Your forwarder can help, says Millennium Cargo chief

Seeking the advice of an independent freight forwarder will give traders the best possible chance to get their goods moving, says managing director of Millennium Cargo, Chadd Blunt. Disruptions such as employee self-isolation, quarantine of ships, port closures and strict travel restrictions have resulted in serious shortages in freight capacity across the globe. The backlog from China has also has given rise to severely hiked freight costs in line with the growing ... [+]

Trade urges government to hit the Brexit pause button

The Freight Transport Association is petitioning government to seek an extension to the current transition period for leaving the European Union, as well as suspend other planned domestic legislation which will impact the logistics sector. It says the challenges posed by the COVID-19 virus will make the effective implementation of any ... [+]

Don’t need it? We can hold it, says Woodland

Essex-based forwarder Woodland Group is offering a ‘Delay In Transit’ solution to hold up goods at or near point of manufacture in China and other Asian, US or European countries during the COVID-19 crisis. It says it has capacity to store goods long term in warehousing operations or hold up ... [+]

German box firms expects earnings droop

Hamburg-headquartered container terminal operator HHLA says it expects a strong decrease in earnings due to the coronavirus pandemic.  It said the current contraction in global economic activity is affecting all areas of the economy, including international trade, which is critical to HHLA. I t said: “It is not possible to make ... [+]

Hull electrifies forklift fleet

The port of Hull has taken delivery of a fleet of six new, electric forklift trucks. The the Linde machines will be based at the retail warehouse, adjacent to the Humber Container Terminal. The vehicles’ rechargeable batteries are easy to remove and charge within a 12 hour period ensuring the ... [+]

PayCargo steps into the breach

PayCargo has launched a new free communication mechanism via its online payment platform that allows vendors such as airlines, shipping terminals and maritime operators to share key information with the 20,000-plus payer users in the company’s online system. The service has been launched to help the freight and shipping community face ... [+]

Port workers need testing too, says BPA

The British Ports Association is calling on Government to broaden the scope of testing to include port workers. It says that while the industry is cooperating very closely with the Department for Transport and other agencies and supports the need to prioritise clinical staff and frontline emergency workers, as soon as ... [+]

Coastlink postponed

The Coastlink Conference on short-sea and inland shipping due to be held at the Port of Antwerp in May has been postponed to Wednesday 25 and Thursday 26th November 2020, due to the COVID-19 outbreak. Organisers say that the conference programme and format will remain identical and that the majority ... [+]

UK bucks cargo crime trend

Cargo thefts from supply chains in Europe, the Middle East and Africa (EMEA) more than doubled to 8,548 incidents in 2019 with product losses of well over €137 million, according to the Transported Asset Protection Association (TAPA). However, the UK was the sole major country to buck the trend, recording ... [+]

Consortia block exemption to stay for another five years

The European Commission published a final regulation extending the EU liner consortia block exemption regulation (BER) until 25 April 2024, without modification. It will allow shipping lines in consortia to continue to operate vessel sharing arrangements that have a market share up to 30%. In its Staff Working Document published last ... [+]

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