Gulf crisis yet to affect container spot rates. Increasing tensions between Israel and Iran have not led to the same spike in rates as caused by the Red Sea diversions. The Middle East Gulf remains open for shipping, despite the seizure of MSC Aries. But any further escalation could have a significant impact on freight rates.
…Hapag-Lloyd aims to consolidate position in top 5 container lines. In setting out its 2030 strategy Hapag-Lloyd plans to continue investing in its core business of container shipping as well as growing its terminal portfolio.
..On behalf of our partner Sealion Cargo in Canada, we wish to inform you that the launch of CARM has been postponed to October 2024 by CBSA. Until then, import to Canada and export to Canada will continue as usual. Sealion does still expect CARM to be implemented and will provide further news once we feel it is imperative for action to be taken. Should you have any questions or need support setting up your portal account, the Sealion Cargo team is ready to assist. The CARM system will fundamentally change how Canadian importers’ goods are declared, managed, as well as how payments of taxes and duties are completed between importers and CBSA. If your business serves any business who ship to Canada on DDP terms (or is still offering DDU in the form of DAP + customs fee) and/or who serves any foreign companies’ setup as a Canadian Non-Resident Importer (NRI) this will impact your business for cargo.

…Liners add capacity to Asia-ECSA as ocean rates hit 18-month high. With Asia-South America ocean freight rates at an 18-month high of around $4,350 per 40ft, mainline operators have been adding ships and calls to their services.

…Price hike in container leasing market. Container leasing rates, particularly from China to North America, surged significantly in Q1/2024, continuing to stay elevated into April.

…Without fanfare, the Philippines is getting richer. And its economy is unusually well-defended against American politics. The Philippines is often an afterthought for investors: neither a giant like India nor a manufacturing superstar like Vietnam. But growth has been brisk at around 6% a year since 2012 (except during the pandemic).

…Don’t be gloomy about Tesla and its EV rivals.The industry has had a terrible few months. But demand is likely to pick up. Could Donald Trump be right about electric vehicles? In March America’s former president, and its ev-basher-in-chief, complained that they “cost too much” and “don’t go far”. Many car buyers seem to agree. In America deliveries of evs have not risen in the past three quarters. In greener-than-thou Europe they fell last month, by 11% year on year.

…As it adjusts to slower demand for its electrical vehicles, Tesla is reportedly set to shed 10% of its global workforce, or around 14,000 jobs.

…China’s economy grew by a better-than-expected 5.3% in the first quarter of 2024, year on year, helped by a 6.1% rise in industrial production.

…Microsoft announced a $1.5bn strategic investment in G42, a firm developing artificial intelligence technology in Abu Dhabi, which is backed by the emirate’s government.

…AD Ports to revamp Angola’s Luanda port terminal. AD Ports Group has acquired a 20-year concession, extendable for an additional ten years, to operate and upgrade the Luanda multipurpose port terminal in Angola.
…MSC set to take over vehicle carrier tonnage provider Gram Car Carriers. Cash offer values third-largest vehicle carrier tonnage provider at $700m. Cash offer by MSC subsidiary for all issued and outstanding shares in Oslo-listed non-operating owner was unexpected. Whether MSC’s move heralds future expansion in to vehicle carrier liner services, with potential crossover from its container shipper clients, remains to be seen.
…New digital release process for German seaports.The logistics IT and software providers Dakosy and DBH are launching a new digital authorisation process for container imports through German seaports.
…Transpacific contract rates win lift from higher spot market. With less than a week to go until the 2024 contracts start, carriers have pulled off an unexpected increase in rates. Spot rates may have fallen back from the peaks, but carriers have prevented them falling below Red Sea-crisis levels. That has helped them secure higher rates in this year’s transpacific contract negotiations.
… Last week our annual conference took place in Porto with a varied programme, including a number of interesting speakers, one to one sessions and a great city walk with the group in the beautiful city of Porto. You can find all presentations that were showcased during the conference by opening this link: https://we.tl/t-ADWrqL5F9R. The board decided about the next venue of the AGM in 2025 and that is The Phillippines. More information about the location and date will follow in due time.

…Terminal opened in Georgia . The Tallinn (Estonia)-based CF&S Group has launched a new transit hub in Poti, Georgia. The terminals will handle various types of cargo and offer warehousing and cargo deliveries from the port of Poti to the inland terminal, cargo loading and lashing on railway platforms. For more information, please apply to ETS (Express Trans-Shipment Services), our valued partner in Georgia, with headoffice in Poti.
…Brexit checks will go ahead as planned, despite confusion. Whole process ‘shambolic’ says British Ports Association CEO Richard Ballantyne. UK port organisations expect import checks to be in place by the end of the month, pouring cold water on reports that the process will be further delayed.
…Gulf states were battered by storms that caused floods leading to the deaths of 20 people. The United Arab Emirates saw its heaviest rainfall since records began 75 years ago. Dubai airport, the world’s second busiest, told passengers, including our partner Coen van der Laan from Jordex Global, on his way to the AGM in Porto, to stay away.
…A decade of strategic partnership. Etihad Cargo, the cargo and logistics arm of Etihad Airways, is celebrating its ten-year strategic partnership with Envirotainer, a specialist for secure cold chain solutions for the air transport of pharmaceuticals.
Electrifying the Seine River fleet for Paris 2024. In preparation for the upcoming Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games, which are to open at the end of July, Haropa Port and the French national waterways authority (Voies navigables de France – VNF) are advancing the decarbonisation of river transport.

…South Africa: new terminal in Durban launched. The Newlyn Park Bayhead Rail Terminal recently opened its doors at an official ceremony attended by the country’s president Cyril Ramaphosa.

…When classical music is played in a wine shop, sales are 2.5 times higher than with pop music.
…Elephants are the only mammals that cannot jump.

Wishing you all a great weekend!