Value chains and container shipping are faced with major disruptions while many countries are looking for alternative supplies of grain, gas, and oil. According to UNCTAD, the Ukraine – Russia conflict has put a significant strain on the Black Sea region and logistics and trade in Ukraine, raising shipping costs globally and increasing demand for […]
Major shipping lines announced they would be no longer shipping scrap plastic from developed countries to Southeast Asia and China. Until 1992, China used to be #1 destination for plastic imports, which would be recycled and used for manufacturing. When the country’s economy expanded, its scrap output also increased. Currently China has more than enough […]
Lockdowns in various Chinese cities have increased pressure on logistics and transport, as Covid-19 cases continue to rise across the country. The trucking industry has been hard hit, which plays a key role in shipping cargo to major ports in China. There are also restrictions on deliveries and truck drivers moving goods to areas with […]
Covid-19 is not over yet, with China reporting the worst outbreak since the onset of the pandemic. The third most populous city, Shenzhen was placed on lockdown this Sunday, and factories closed temporarily. Shanghai has also experienced a surge in cases, and new restrictions have been imposed. Shenzhen is the home to the world’s third […]
Recent coronavirus outbreaks have forced China to implement new restrictions that can further strain global supply chains, resulting in disrupted flow of goods and even higher inflation. Global supply chains are already under pressure due to port congestions, delayed ships, and a surge in demand. New Challenges Ahead The tightening restrictions in the Jilin province […]
Ship backlogs have lasted for two years already due to the global health and economic crisis. According to experts, however, backlogs are expected to let up in mid-2021, easing pressure on carriers and container capacity. This would also mean less revenue for the big cargo carriers from the spot market. So far, freight rates have […]
Demand for online delivery and products shipped to your doorstep has increased with the onset of the pandemic, as many consumers have been forced to work from home. Questions that beg to be answered are: what kind of people buy products online, is this shift in consumer behavior temporary or will continue post-Covid-19, and how […]
With truck drivers concerned over travel restrictions and border closures and ship crew refusing to sign contracts, the shipping industry is facing challenging times. From small logistics companies to big businesses, freight forwarders find it increasingly difficult to get enough staff amidst a surge in omicron infections. According to experts, about 20 percent of truck […]
The ongoing health crisis has affected shipping in many ways, from the medical handling of suspect Covid-19 cases and crew repatriation to vessel attendance for statutory purposes and certification and delayed repairs and retrofits. Handling of Suspect Cases Medical handling of suspect cases can be a challenge due to shortage of equipment and supplies […]
The new Omicron variant could be another resilience test for trade flows and already stretched global supply chains. The Chinese government has already enforced a zero-Covid policy, involving strict monitoring of cargo and commercial ships, enforced quarantines, and mass lockdowns. According to experts, the government may double down on this strict policy. If the new […]
The Suez Canal Authority recently announced fee increases for commercial vessels passing through the waterway. Experts warn that this move will cause price increases and further inflationary pleasures on the global supply chain. As the shortest route between Europe and Asia, linking Red Sea with Mediterranean Sea, about 12 percent of all commercial cargo ships […]
Shortages of magnets and microprocessors mean that manufacturers find it increasingly difficult to fulfill orders as they cannot produce enough tablets, phones, and computers. When it comes to plastic, shortages affect manufacturers across sectors, including medical products, personal care and hygiene, and food and beverages. The situation has also resulted in backlogs for plastic cups […]
Airline staff, truck drivers, and seafarers have been subject to testing requirements, travel restrictions, and quarantines to keep global supply chains moving during a prolonged pandemic. Many are on the brink of exhaustion, which is yet another threat to carriers shipping cargo around the globe. In September, industry groups sent an open letter to the […]
A year and a half since the pandemic started, shipping cargo from China to Europe now costs 6 times more than it did back in 2019. Surging costs have only made the situation worse, adding to existing problems such as the high cost of raw materials and the global semiconductor shortage. There is only a […]
The global logistics crisis is not solely caused by a spike in consumer demand but it is a factor that can’t be overlooked. When the pandemic started, shipping fell due to uncertainty how lockdowns and social distancing measures would affect consumer demand. Crew safety has also been a source of concern. Then the situation changed […]
Commercial ships are responsible for about 1 billion tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions on an annual basis or 3 percent of total emissions. Experts explain that if vessels were a country, it would be the world’s sixth biggest polluter. Unless urgent action is taken, shipping greenhouse gas emissions are forecasted to reach up to 130 […]
A series of events is driving global trade to a breaking point, from cyber threats at major South African ports to natural disasters in Germany and China and a new wave of Covid-19 and cases rising worldwide. According to shipping experts, economists, and businesses, the effect is an interrupted flow of consumer goods, parts, and […]
Distri24 is the new distribution division, composed and implemented by Corneel Geerts Transport Group and operating since April 2021 via its depot (Hub) in Venlo. It is a parallelized freight distribution network with a fast and reliable national coverage, serving a wide variety of customers. The service is provided in collaboration with local partners for […]
The congestion caused by a recent outbreak in Southern China has been expected to impact air freight in summer. Yet, despite predictions that the chaos at major ports would cause a modal shift from sea to air, the volume of converted orders has only slightly increased. Experts are not really sure why this is happening […]
The freight transport industry has suffered significant supply chain disruptions due to the ongoing global health crisis. Intermodal transport in Europe, including truck carriers and railroad shippers, has been affected. Ports around the world have seen a reduction in cargo volumes due to uncertainty. Parcel delivery companies have been the least affected as they face […]