By Mike Wackett (The Loadstar) – With the second quarter now two-thirds done ocean carriers look to be heading for a second successive H1 loss, making a good peak season more essential than ever for the sustainability of the liner industry. Last week CMA CGM completed the set of container lines...
container lines
‘Forwarders should not pay surcharges on boxes that are not clean or need repair’
Fiata has recommended forwarders don’t pay surcharges for containers that have not been cleaned or maintained, and that they charge shipping lines for any costs incurred as a result of poor quality boxes.
The fightback against container lines comes via a new “Best Practice” handbook, which argues that forwarders should apply more pressure on the lines, and ask for proof of maintenance when charged, rather than relying on “one-sided findings”.
Container Shipping and the Quality …
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Weaker demand will drive spot rates down post-CNY – but by how much?
The Shanghai Containerized Freight Index (SCFI) did not publish today, due to the Chinese New Year holiday, but weaker demand is expected to exert downward pressure on the index in the coming weeks.
It is a question of how long the normal seasonal adjustment of spot rates will last on the key Asia-Europe and transpacific tradelanes.
Last year, CNY started 11 days later, on 16 February, and although in the first week …
The post Weaker demand will drive spot rates down post-CNY – but by how much?...
https://theloadstar.co.uk/weaker-demand-will-drive-spot-rates-down-post-cny-but-by-how-much/
With new ULCVs on the horizon, another Asia-Europe loop was ‘inevitable’
With its member lines receiving a large number of newbuild ULCVs this year the addition of a seventh loop between Asia and North Europe by the Ocean Alliance was “inevitable” said Drewry.
While the 2M rival alliance has opted to accommodate six extra newbuild ULCVs into its network revamp by slowing vessel speeds and cutting port calls in order to allow more buffer time in schedules and thereby to improve reliability, …
The post With new ULCVs on the horizon, another Asia-Europe loop was...
https://theloadstar.co.uk/with-new-ulcvs-on-the-horizon-another-asia-europe-loop-was-inevitable/
US shipper fury as container lines announce ‘insane’ street turn fees
US agricultural shippers and forwarders have lashed out at “insane” and “appalling” “huge mistake” by shipping lines, which will impose a “street turns” fee next month.
Carriers including Zim and HMM have announced that, from February 4, they will impose charges of between $40 and $75 for containers which are fully used in both directions.
Round trips, or street turns, reduce congestion, emissions, demand for container and chassis supply and cut costs. But, …
The post US shipper fury as...
https://theloadstar.co.uk/us-shipper-fury-as-container-lines-announce-insane-street-turn-fees/
Hapag-Lloyd to launch premium product as part of new five-year plan
Hapag-Lloyd is to offer a choice between a standard or premium product across some of its service routes.
The move follows an extensive market research survey by the carrier which revealed that more than 50% of respondents showed “a willingness to pay more” for a higher-quality offering.
Hapag-Lloyd is convinced shippers actually mean what they say this time, despite the failure of previous premium products in the market, notably Maersk Line’s Daily Maersk offering.
The Danish carrier launched …
https://theloadstar.co.uk/hapag-lloyd-launch-premium-product-part-new-five-year-plan/
Bigger is not better in box shipping, say shippers who want better service
Consolidation in container shipping is eroding shippers’ trust in the sector.
There are calls for carriers to improve transparency in their dealings with customers.
MDS Transmodal chairman Mike Garratt told delegates at Intermodal Europe in Rotterdam this week that work was needed to rebuild bridges between container lines and their customers.
“We need to see a better relationship and to address the mistrust between both sides,” he said.
“From their perspective, lines could help …
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https://theloadstar.co.uk/bigger-not-better-box-shipping-say-shippers-want-better-service/