Category: Coronavirus

Rail freight services from China to Europe have seen a massive increase in volumes, as PPE driven demand for air freight resulted in congestion, lengthier transits and disrupted air cargo supply chains. Rail cargo throughput from China to Europe during the recent peak increased by 40% over the... Read more

The bane of many a shipping manager, the Bunker Surcharge, BAF or Bunker adjustment factor, refers to a floating part of sea freight charges which represents additions due to oil prices. Which, on the petrol station forecourt, have fallen off a cliff - but not, apparently in shipping. With the... Read more

The transport of personal protective equipment (PPE) and essential medical products, particularly from China, may be less frenetic than at the pandemic’s peak, but it remains continuous and is just as critical, with Metro already successfully importing and distributing over 200 million units th... Read more

An increase in Chinese manufacturing in May, combined with seasonal demand for summer products, and a need to replenish inventories are the basis for optimism by container lines serving Asia exports markets, according to Jeremy Nixon, CEO of Ocean Network Express (ONE). The need for replenishm... Read more

It is clear that the container shipping lines are expecting weak demand to extend into the peak season, with the announcement of blank sailings for the third quarter global network schedule. In total 75 blank sailings have been announced for Q3. Maersk and MSC has announced the cancellation... Read more

As millions of garment workers face uncertainty globally because of cancelled orders amid the COVID-19 pandemic, nearly half of the world’s leading clothing brands have yet to publicly claim financial responsibility for finished garments. Apparel factories in Bangladesh are still running at ... Read more

With consumer and commercial automotive demand falling, in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic, specialised RORO car carriers are coming to terms with a pronounced downturn, with as many as one in three vessels projected to be idled in the coming months. Working in some of the most demanding ... Read more

The vast majority of Metro staff have been working successfully from home over the past 10 weeks and now we are returning to our offices, gradually and safely. As announced by the Government last week, the UK’s rate of infection has now reduced to below 1, meaning we can slowly begin to retu... Read more

From the earliest days of the Coronavirus outbreak in China, we have been working tirelessly to meet critical customer needs, protecting the health and safety of our employees and ensuring business continuity. At the outset of this crisis Metro directors set up a COVID-19 Response Team to moni... Read more