Newsletter – January 24, 2023

AIR FREIGHT UPDATES

Berlin airport sees strike grounding flights on Wednesday

ajot.com
The operator of Berlin’s largest airport expects strike action to bring all regular flight traffic to a standstill on Wednesday as ground crews, services staff and security personnel walk off the job.
Passengers scheduled to fly to or from Berlin-Brandenburg airport on Jan. 25 should inform themselves about the status of their flights, the operator said in a statement on Monday. Some 300 takeoffs and landings, carrying about 35,000 passengers, were originally planned for Wednesday, it said. Read more here.

IATA blasts draft ban on cargo-only operations at Mexico’s busiest airport

aircargonews.net
IATA has blasted a government plan to ban cargo-only flights from Mexico City’s primary airport.
According to local Mexican media reports, the leaked draft of a document published last week reveals that the government intends to close Benito Juarez International airport, the busiest in the country, to operators that ”provide national and international scheduled and non-scheduled air transportation services to the public, exclusively for cargo”. Read more here.

OCEAN FREIGHT UPDATES

Maersk’s extra insurance offer for boxes just ‘another money-spinner’

theloadstar.com
Maersk has rolled out a new insurance product for its liner shippers that provides cover for container cleaning expenses, as well as offering protection against damage.
“One in three containers globally sustain damage or require a clean-up, leading to avoidable delays and costs for shippers,” claims Maersk. Read more here (login required).

Carriers slug it out for market share in lucrative India-US trades

theloadstar.com
The growth potential for India-US ocean trades is persuading more container carriers to invest in tonnage on the route, with Cosco the latest entrant with its subsidiary, OOCL.
The Chinese carrier has deployed six ships, and Hong Kong-listed OOCL four, launching a direct express West India-US east coast connection. Read more here (login required).

CMA CGM box ships sent off course by mechanical problems

theloadstar.com
Reports that the 3,426 teu CMA CGM Vercruz, which is owned by the Singapore based CNC Line, was adrift south of Louisiana have been corroborated by AIS tracking, which showed the vessel drifting last Thursday.
Insurance consultancy WK Webster reported operational issues on Friday, and the latest AIS reports show the vessel now at anchor on the Mississippi River. It had been expected to leave New Orleans to arrive at Houston on Wednesday. Read more here (login required)

GROUND & RAIL FREIGHT UPDATES

Tough year ahead as economic headwinds slow US truckload operators

theloadstar.com
Despite some pundits suggesting the US trucking market should have bottomed out, the outlook remains gloomy – possibly until the end of next year.
The Cowen/AFS Freight Index, released on 17 January, warned that 2023 would be a tough year for truckload operators, citing cost increases driven by inflation, elevated fuel costs and downward pressure on rates, as shippers enjoy pricing power. Read more here (login required).