North American Sea Freight Market Strained
The North American sea freight market faces ongoing challenges, with recent labour actions on the US East Coast fuelling local anxieties and adding congestion and capacity pressures on the West coast.
The three-day strike by the International Longshoremen’s Association (ILA) on the US East C...
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Air freight surges from Asia to Europe while trans-Pacific faces regulatory hurdles
As peak season ramps up, air cargo from Asia to Europe is experiencing strong growth, largely driven by rising demand for eCommerce, while new scrutiny on duty exemptions has led to a significant drop in air cargo volumes from Asia to the United States.
In October, tonnage from Hong Kong to Eu...
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Strengthening Global Network to Address Supply Chain Challenges
Metro’s strategic partner network is central to delivering market-leading logistics services, especially as global supply chains face ongoing challenges. With the appointment of Peter Orange as head of global network development, Metro is deepening its commitment to building robust partnerships...
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Labour tensions rise on North America’s East coast
Ongoing labour disputes on the US East Coast and Canada’s Port of Montreal continue to threaten disruptions to North American supply chains.
The agreement between the ILA and the United States Maritime Alliance (USMX) on the US East coast (USEC) brings temporary relief, securing peace for th...
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Sea freight market review
The sea freight market in October 2024 is facing continued challenges from geopolitical tensions and industrial actions, with strikes on the US East and Gulf Coasts contributing to significant disruptions.
Although the three-day US East coast strike in early October has been resolved with a te...
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US East Coast dockworker strike: Temporary resolution but risks remain for January
While a tentative agreement between the International Longshoremen’s Association (ILA) and the United States Maritime Alliance (USMX) has paused the strike, a final resolution must be reached in January 2025, or further disruption could occur.
The recent US East and Gulf Coast dockworker str...
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US East coast port strikes underway
At 12:01 a.m. ET on Tuesday 1st October 2024, dockworkers along the US East and Gulf Coasts began a major strike, marking the first significant work stoppage in nearly 50 years, threatening major supply chain disruption across the US and beyond.
Nearly 50,000 members of the International Longs...
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Stricter air cargo security measures in response to rising threats
The US and Canada have introduced new security measures aimed at addressing the potential risks posed by incendiary devices found in European parcel networks.
Recent incidents, including a fire at a logistics hub in Leipzig originating from a Baltic package, have heightened awareness of potent...
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US East coast port strike looms as White House declines plea to step in
Ocean carriers and port employers are urging the International Longshoremen’s Association (ILA) to return to contract negotiations in an effort to avoid a potential strike across East and Gulf Coast ports, as the White House rejects plea by 177 trade associations to use legal powers.
A str...
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Supply chains brace for more disruption as storm season intensifies
From wildfires and floods to scorching heatwaves, the consequences of climate change are becoming more pronounced, and as we enter the peak shipping season, businesses are scrambling to prepare for what is predicted to be one of the most disruptive storm seasons in recent memory.
So far in 202...
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New shipping alliances for 2025
With the dissolution of the 2M partnership between MSC and Maersk in February 2025, new partnerships and slot-sharing agreements are emerging, positioning shipping companies in a transformed global market.
One of the key developments is the formation of the Premier Alliance, which will replace...
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Air cargo under pressure as peak season looms
With capacity already strained and further challenges expected from potential labour strikes and reduced belly capacity in the final quarter, shippers are under increasing pressure to secure cargo space ahead of the peak season.
Strong demand
According to IATA’s latest figures global air ca...
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