Sea

An ode for seafarers stranded during the coronavirus pandemic 

When we go to the shops with all the food on the shelves,
We buy what we want, in sixes and twelves. 
 
For the strawberries and others, we buy out of season,
We expect them to be there, on the shelves without reason. 
Anchor butter from New Zealand, via the Panama Canal,
After a month at sea, arrives with us, somehow. 
 
There is our fish caught at sea, in treacherous storms,
By fisherman, whose risks they consider …

The post An ode for seafarers stranded during the coronavirus pandemic ...

https://theloadstar.com/an-ode-for-seafarers-stranded-during-the-coronavirus-pandemic/

Shipping and freight ‘will bounce back’ – but there will be hi-tech change

The chaos caused by Covid-19 will lead to far greater use of technology, which until now has lagged in logistics compared with other industries.
Some 67% of shipping and freight professionals plan to invest in technology following the Covid crisis, according to a survey conducted by Shipping and Freight Resource and sponsored by Ocean Insights.
One-third said investing in staff would be the first step to recovery, while a quarter opted for …

The post Shipping and freight ‘will bounce back’ – but...

https://theloadstar.com/shipping-and-freight-will-bounce-back-but-there-will-be-hi-tech-change/

Box carriers ‘turning a deaf ear’ to calls to cancel BAFs as oil price slumps

With oil prices plunging to less than $20 per barrel, ocean carriers are coming under increased pressure to cancel their bunker surcharges and introduce negative bunker adjustment factors (BAFs) across their networks.
Strict capacity discipline by carriers has supported freight rates on the major tradelanes to compensate for recent demand slumps, but shippers complain that the lines are still charging BAFs – and IMO 2020 low-sulphur surcharges – despite the precipitous …

The post Box carriers...

https://theloadstar.com/box-carriers-turning-a-deaf-ear-to-calls-to-cancel-bafs-as-oil-price-slumps/

Brexit transition must be extended, or freight operators won’t cope, says BIFA

The freight industry will be unable to cope with significant change in the UK’s trade terms with Europe, if the Brexit transition period is not extended, says BIFA.
BIFA director general Robert Keen labelled a refusal to extend the period as “very risky”.
He said: “BIFA members are in no position to respond to a second massive shock if there is significant change in the terms of trade with the EU at …

The post Brexit transition must be extended, or freight operators won’t cope, says BIFA...

https://theloadstar.com/brexit-transition-must-be-extended-or-freight-operators-wont-cope-says-bifa/

Full ships in March for ONE, but April and May utilisation looks grim

Japanese carrier ONE’s vessels from Asia to Europe sailed full last month, as bookings delayed by the extended Chinese New Year holiday were finally shipped out.
However, due to a collapse in demand via Covid-19 lockdown restrictions, ONE will be challenged to reach anywhere near maximum load factors in April and May, despite the high number of blanked sailings already announced.
At 128,000 teu, ONE’s March Asia-Europe headhaul liftings were some 6% …

The post Full ships in March for ONE, but...

https://theloadstar.com/full-ships-in-march-for-one-but-april-and-may-utilisation-looks-grim/

On the wires: Little gem Mainfreight sets standard for all in transport & logistics

Small is beautiful, and that applies particularly to Auckland these days, for a few reasons.
As I first argued earlier this year, there’s is a little gem in New Zealand’s logistics and transport industry landscape – labelled Mainfreight – which again this month gave the bulls more reasons to be ever bullish.
Where there is a benchmark in terms of transparency and performance, just as so many larger companies lick their wounds …

The post On the wires: Little gem Mainfreight sets standard for all...

https://theloadstar.com/on-the-wires-little-gem-mainfreight-sets-standard-for-all-in-transport-logistics/

The rumbustious life and loves of ‘Jolly’ Jack Tar

This is for anyone with a love of maritime history: a fabulous round-up, in Aeon, of some of the early accounts of life as a seafarer during the golden age of sail.
The lives (and loves) of maritime celebrities such as Admiral Nelson, Ferdinand Magellan and Captain Cook are well known; the early coughs of globalisation via the buccaneering and brutal British and Dutch East India companies have been equally well …

The post The rumbustious life and loves of ‘Jolly’ Jack Tar appeared first on The...

https://theloadstar.com/the-rumbustious-life-and-loves-of-jolly-jack-tar/

‘Raincheck’ on taxes a relief for hard-hit US importers

US customs brokers and importers have been scrambling to revise monthly statements after the US government announced they could postpone duty, taxes and fees for 90 days.
The executive order, signed on Sunday, temporarily extends deadlines for importers “suffering significant financial hardship” and was closely followed by a detailed explanation by Customs & Border Protection (CBP).
It noted: “This temporary postponement applies to formal entries of merchandise entered, or withdrawn from...

https://theloadstar.com/raincheck-on-taxes-a-relief-for-hard-hit-us-importers/

DHL’s Tim Scharwath’s bittersweet ‘what could have been’ scenario

It may be written by Tim Scharwath, chief of DHL Global Forwarding, but this will resonate among all forwarders.
Noting that the group has suspended the publication of its Global Trade Barometer, which is unable to read accurately the current pressures, Mr Scharwath said that while the initial data (pre-Covid) was showing improvement, he remained optimistic – his  confidence boosted by how people are dealing with the new normal.
He has seen …

The post DHL’s Tim Scharwath’s bittersweet ‘what...

https://theloadstar.com/dhls-tim-scharwaths-bittersweet-what-could-have-been/

Unseen, unsung, everyday heroes – helping developing world seafarers on the frontline

London, 21 April 2020: If you are a seafarer stranded far from home what do you do? As one of the thousands of indispensable seafarers from developing countries caught in lockdowns enforced to limit the spread of COVID19 with no way home, where do you turn for help for you and your family? 
“The outbreak of COVID-19 on a global scale has brought fear and uncertainty to key workers around the world.  Those in the maritime sector have particular anxieties as they are …

The post Unseen, unsung,...

https://theloadstar.com/unseen-unsung-everyday-heroes-helping-developing-world-seafarers-on-the-frontline/

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