Category: Coronavirus

After a massive spike in fuel prices, in the run up to IMO 2020, marine fuel prices collapsed as the COVID pandemic took hold, but have been increasing rapidly in recent weeks, raising fears of BAF increases. The IMO’s global emissions regulations - IMO2020 - which impacted the global contai... Read more

In the absence of belly-hold capacity (passenger aircraft), big volume shippers are taking freighter and charter options, potentially affecting air cargo capacity available to some shippers and underlining the importance of the strength of partner carrier partnerships and of our time-sensitive se... Read more

Key Metro partner Emirates SkyCargo and DP World have launched a sea/air product, increasing the range of services we can offer, ahead of a likely post-lockdown demand surge. The Dubai-based companies are offering complementary sea/air services, which can expedite the transfer of containers fr... Read more

The economic turmoil triggered by the continuing pandemic, has disrupted global container shipping through 2020, with port congestion battering the shipping lines’ schedules and wiping out reliability. Port congestion began in Asia, as the first Coronavirus waves passed last May and factorie... Read more

The UK's rapid Covid-19 vaccination roll-out will undoubtedly help the economy bounce back and we are anticipating an upsurge in demand for air, sea and overland transport as confidence returns from the second quarter as lockdowns loosen and consumers are able to consume in the old fashioned way ... Read more

Even if ‘one swallow does not a summer make’ we fervently hope that one container index’s ‘positive trend’ really does signify a turning point in container shortages. The container selling and leasing platform Container xChange, track and compare the global availability of containers... Read more

Massive and continuing post-lockdown consumer demand has resulted in a lack of available space on vessels, shortage of empty shipping containers in Asia and congestion at destination ports, driving freight rates to levels never before experienced. Taking issues that have perplexed shippers sin... Read more

Optimism in signs that the equipment shortage crisis might improve after Chinese New Year, have been dealt a blow with the surprise announcement of blanked Asia to UK sailings, despite it being widely reported that carriers would not be using this tactic this year. 2M alliance members Maersk a... Read more

The equipment shortage in China and Asia and the lack of vessel space on primary trade lanes are continuing to present significant supply chain challenges and while the UK’s port and transport infrastructure continues to struggle, stability is emerging in some areas. The port and terminal di... Read more

As Metro reported in last week’s supply chain bulletin, the availability of container equipment has become the primary supply chain issue for shippers and importers from China and Asia in general.  The lack of equipment is a key issue impacting both rates and supply chains across Asia, ... Read more