Against the odds: US banana importer joins trucker’s FMC action against Hapag-Lloyd

In response to this week’s Loadstar story on South Korean antitrust regulators fining 23 container lines for price-fixing on the intra-Asia trades between 2003 and 2018, one source sent a WhatsApp message to our editorial team that said simply: “And so it begins…”
This is one of the several transport executives who have been engaged over the last few months as expert witnesses by law firms that are beginning to prepare …

The post Against the odds: US banana importer joins trucker’s FMC action...

https://theloadstar.com/against-the-odds-us-banana-importer-joins-truckers-fmc-action-against-hapag-lloyd/

2021 carrier bonanza could presage a crash of the ocean titans in 2022

Reading supply chain industry tea leaves has become near-impossible over the past couple of years. Nonetheless, the first missive from Fiata this year contains some notably spikey wording, which suggests 2022 will see increasing opposition to the growing influence of cash-rich box shipping lines outside their core business.
Newton’s third law of motion contends that, when two bodies interact they apply an equal force to each other, but in opposite directions. …

The post 2021 carrier bonanza...

https://theloadstar.com/2021-carrier-bonanza-could-presage-a-crash-of-the-ocean-titans-in-2022/

‘Abandoned’ exporters scrambling for space prompt more ad hoc charters

Asian exporters “abandoned” by Maersk are scrambling for deals with rival carriers, inspiring a fresh wave of ad hoc charters to North European ports for next month.
The “strategic transformation” of its ocean business, announced by Maersk earlier this year, has resulted in many smaller forwarders and NVOCCs finding that  after 1 January, the carrier will no longer accept their bookings – other than through the Maersk Spot platform.
But, with short-term …

The post ‘Abandoned’ exporters...

https://theloadstar.com/abandoned-exporters-scrambling-for-space-prompt-more-ad-hoc-charters/

How to sue a carrier for delays, blanked sailings and D&D overcharges

If you are facing unprecedented delays in shipping and route cancellations that are compounded by the inability to get your containers out of the port, with huge charges for demurrage and detention adding insult to injury, you are not alone.
I have seen numerous articles talking about these issues, but none advising on practical steps to take. Here is that long overdue article.
Let’s take these issues one by one:
Delays
If delays …

The post How to sue a carrier for delays, blanked sailings and...

https://theloadstar.com/how-to-sue-a-carrier-for-delays-blanked-sailings-and-dd-overcharges/

Market Insight: Goodbye sea forwarders, says carefree Mærsk (but we can sell you air!)

The worst nightmare of a brilliant CFO who talked to me well before Covid-19, behind close doors four years ago – when still so many referred to the freight forwarders as the smart ones in the chain – has become reality.
“They own the assets”
And that mere thought, you could tell from his eyes and body language, sent shivers down his spine as his company’s margins – yes those of a …

The post Market Insight: Goodbye sea forwarders, says carefree Mærsk (but we can sell you air!) appeared first on T...

https://theloadstar.com/market-insight-goodbye-sea-forwarders-says-carefree-maersk-but-we-can-sell-you-air/

Supply chain radar: Behind Coca-Cola’s breakbulk blueprint – ‘taste the feeling’

Yesterday came the news that UK supermarket Asda has become the latest shipper to charter its own vessel to overcome the supply chain chaos – a ship carrying 350 boxes is now en route to the UK.
These stories are becoming increasingly common, but the stand-out star remains remains the world’s favourite soft drink… remember the Coca-Cola post on social media that went viral for choosing breakbulk over containers?
Quick recap 
“When you can’t …

The post Supply chain radar: Behind Coca-Cola’s...

https://theloadstar.com/supply-chain-radar-behind-coca-colas-breakbulk-blueprint-taste-the-feeling/

Supply chain radar: The box lines Super League – risking world trade?

(Note to the reader: Mr Hidden Lead, a senior executive from the global logistics community, had something to say this week. Something so strong that it couldn’t possibly pass unnoticed. If you disagree with what follows, we invite you to submit your rebuttal. You can get in touch with Premium here.)
TWELVE global football super powers (well, some more “global” than others) were taught a painful lesson this week, when their pursuit …

The post Supply chain radar: The box lines Super League –...

https://theloadstar.com/supply-chain-radar-the-box-lines-super-league-risking-world-trade/

Snapshot: Jubilant shipping lines set for record ’21 – but it won’t last forever…

The numbers for the liner industry are in and boy did it have a vintage year – the best that Drewry has records for, according to the consultant’s Q1 ’21 forecaster.

It estimates – and I think we can be pretty confident in the figures at this point – a 2020 ebit for the industry at $26.6bn, with the...

https://theloadstar.com/snapshot-jubilant-shipping-lines-set-for-record-21-but-it-wont-last-forever/

Angry shippers call on EC to review ‘disturbing developments’ in box shipping

European shippers have again renewed calls for the European Commission to review its competition policy regulating the liner sector, as they continue to face equipment shortages, restricted vessel capacity and sky-high freight rates.
Today the European Ceramic Industry Association, Cerame-Unie, which represents members in 20 countries and covers sectors from construction products (bricks) and consumer goods to industrial process and cutting-edge technologies, issued a statement jointly with the...

https://theloadstar.com/angry-shippers-call-on-ec-to-review-disturbing-developments-in-box-shipping/

Cargo owners still ‘in the dark’ as Ever Given compensation row heats up

The stand-off between the Suez Canal Authority (SCA) and the Japanese owner of the 20,124 teu Ever Given over compensation has entered a third week.
Meanwhile, European cargo owners are still none the wiser as to when and where their containers will be made available, or the percentage of the value of their cargo that will be required by the average adjusters in the form of an insurance bond or cash …

The post Cargo owners still ‘in the dark’ as Ever Given compensation row heats up appeared...

https://theloadstar.com/cargo-owners-still-in-the-dark-as-ever-given-compensation-row-heats-up/

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