News & Insights

Despite the UK’s recent rail strikes having little impact on container movements, the global increase in workplace militancy will inevitably start to disrupt supply chain operations, adding to port congestion. In the same week that the RMT union ran its first week of strikes, road, rail and ... Read more

With the Asia/Europe trade typically mirroring trans-pacific trends within weeks, we are watching how much US importers are pulling back on orders from Asia, and the degree to which container lines will adjust capacity, if demand suggests a slack US peak season, or alternatively a hectic and cong... Read more

Despite the capacity challenges facing air cargo, the industry will not suffer any “lasting negative impact” from the pandemic, because global economies will recover, high value goods require expedited transport and customer demand for speed continues to increase. The pandemic, Ukraine war... Read more

The re-opening of Shanghai after its extended COVID lockdown has not triggered the surge of sea freight that had been feared, but while volumes softened as a consequence, many UK and North European ports are still struggling with congestion. High yard densities at container terminals and inlan... Read more

The accurate weighing of a container is a legal requirement, that is critical for safe handling and correct vessel stowage, to avoid stability-related issues which may contribute to capsizing or sinking of the ship, with severe penalties for non-compliance. The Verified Gross Mass (VGM) declar... Read more

The government, who would like your feedback on UK border controls, have announced an unexpected border easement, but another one that nearly a quarter of a million traders would welcome is unlikely to happen. Customs Declaration ServiceThe customs handling of import and export freight system ... Read more

HMRC is introducing four new border easements tomorrow, focused around the submission of safety and security (S&S) information for vehicles taking goods into and out of the UK. The facilitations, that will be welcomed by the logistics sector, were recently confirmed to members of the Joint... Read more

The customs handling of import and export freight system (CHIEF) has been in use by HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) for nearly 30 years and was due to be replaced when the UK left the European Union (EU), but its CDS replacement was not ready to handle the large increase in customs declarations, so... Read more

Critics often dismiss Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) as a gimmick, or short-term marketing ploy, but we are committed to give back and CSR is not just a responsibility it is our duty to society, which is why core environmental and employee welfare initiatives are continuous, with no timefr... Read more

While The House of Representatives passed the Ocean Shipping Reform Act this week, to overhaul regulation of the container shipping industry, its focus on detention and demurrage billing and the container lines’ responsibility to load exports, will have little impact on import congestion, or re... Read more

Global sea freight operations have struggled with disruptions since the outbreak of the COVID pandemic over two years ago, and this has continued into 2022, with a peak shipping season this summer that is likely to be very chaotic. China’s zero-COVID strategy lockdowns have slowed supply cha... Read more

The biggest rail strike in modern history will affect all rail operations and potentially bring the country to a standstill next week. Our transport teams are working with our service providers on contingency plans that will keep freight moving. The Rail, Maritime and Transport (RMT) union has... Read more