Did You Know That..

…Shippers cry foul again as container rates approach pandemic peaks. A recent complaint allegedly from a Shanghai-listed mattress maker to the Chinese commerce ministry about elevated container shipping rates has rung alarm bells from the pandemic era. As freight rates approach pandemic highs, should shippers complain or thank the carriers? Spot rates ex-China set to hit five figures – high street prices will rise, warning. There were further double-digit increases in container spot freight rates this week, after a series of general rate increases and other surcharges came into effect on 1 June, a day or two after last week’s indices were published.
 
…New MSC loop links Asia with Liverpool. MSC has launched its new Britannia service, a standalone loop connecting Asia to North Europe, designed to enhance port connections from China and Vietnam to Liverpool.
 
…Cosco Shipping Ports partners with Etihad Rail to connect with UAE commercial hubs.
National railway network will provide countrywide intermodal transport service to CSP’s Abu Dhabi Container Freight Station. Since 2018, CSP has operated the Abu Dhabi terminal at Khalifa port, which connects the Khalifa Economic Zones with international markets.

…Russia and China to form Arctic container line.Joint venture will build up to five Arctic-class vessels to operate year-round. The agreement comes amid growing interest in the northern sea route from China and gives the Chinese government a role in a new sub-committee for the Arctic route.

…Wine, cotton and fishmeal all make hazardous cargo list.Usual suspects such as lithium-ion batteries and steel coils also included. List was compiled by the Cargo Integrity Group, which said it would publish guidance on how to handle the 15 dangerous cargoes in the coming months.

…Maersk reports 'substantial delays' after Czech rail crash. Maersk has reported “substantial delays” on rail, following an accident in Czech Republic on Wednesday, when a passenger train collided with a freight train, claiming four lives.
 
…French ports face a month of chaos and disruption as workers strike. A month of chaos and disruption could lie ahead for France’s major ports, including box hubs Le Havre and Marseille-Fos. Labour unions representing dockers and other port workers look set to carry out their threat to stage several one-day strikes, as well as numerous four-hour work stoppages this month, in protest over pension reform that increased the statutory retirement age in France. The first of the 24-hour strikes took place on Friday, with Le Havre’s ro-ro, bulk and container terminals reportedly blocked by dockers. Four ship calls were cancelled and a further 18 calls delayed.

…CMA CGM launches peak Asia-Europe service to increase capacity.Route in high demand, said the French container giant. Soaring freight rates will remain high into the traditional summer peak season, according to Linerlytica, bringing more pain to a stretched market.

…Thanks for all the positive feedback on the launching of the new EAA Network website. For easy finding contact details of your colleague members, go to: https://eaanetwork.com/our-network/

…Elon Musk’s Starship makes a test flight without exploding. Crucially, the upper stage of the giant rocket survived atmospheric re-entry.
 
…Like people, elephants call each other by name.