shipping trade

Port of LA marks its lowest monthly cargo volume due to COVID-19

Following the COVID-19 situation, Port of Los Angeles marked a decline in its cargo volumes during March. In fact, the US busiest port managed to move 449.568 Twenty-Foot Equivalent Units (TEUs), meaning a drop by 30.9% in comparison to the same period last year.

Specifically, during the first quarter of 2020, cargo volumes noted a decrease by 18.5% compared to 2019. For the records, this was the lowest monthly cargo moving ever recorded for the port since February 2009.

We’ve had two serious...

https://safety4sea.com/port-of-la-marks-its-lowest-monthly-cargo-volume-due-to-covid-19/

COVID-19 impacts food shipments around the global

Following the COVID-19 lockdown and the negative impacts that has brought upon the industries, food shipments around the global are facing rough times. According to Bloomberg, the port backups that have ceased food trade operations are getting worse.

In fact, officials at a major port for rice trade in Philippines told Bloomberg that the terminal was about to shut down as thousands of shipping containers pile up because lockdown measures are making them harder to clear.

With several ports slowing...

https://safety4sea.com/covid-19-impacts-food-shipments-around-the-global/

WTO: World trade could fall by up to 32%

The World Trade Organization (WTO) issued a report stating that global trade is expected to decrease by up to 32% this year due to the disruption of economic activity caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Roberto Azevêdo, WTO director-general, stated that “This crisis is first and foremost a health crisis which has forced governments to take unprecedented measures to protect people’s lives. The unavoidable declines in trade and output will have painful consequences for households and businesses, on...

https://safety4sea.com/wto-world-trade-could-fall-by-up-to-32/

Chinese ports to boost supply chain during COVID-19

Although the COVID-19 outbreak has resulted several disruptions within the shipping industry, Chinese ports have managed to recover and restore their operations very closely to the levels before the pandemic. With China’s ports being fully operational, global supply chain will further get a boost, as experts estimated.

In fact, China’s coastal terminals are turning busy again, as large vessels, heavy cranes and container trucks are being operated.

“Ports in China, the world’s manufacturing...

https://safety4sea.com/chinese-ports-to-boost-supply-chain-during-covid-19/

UK Chamber of Shipping urges for support of freight flow

The UK Chamber of Shipping urged for immediate support from the UK government, in order to make sure that freight continues to flow into the country.

More specifically, UK Chamber Chief Executive Bob Sanguinetti, stated that a number of ferry companies reduce their services and send a large number of their staff home.

He explained that if these companies do not get access to the government financial packages, they could further reduce services, or even go out of business.

What is more, Mr....

https://safety4sea.com/uk-chamber-of-shipping-urges-for-support-of-freight-flow/

Shipping needs to keep the world moving, says MSC CEO

As an essential cog for global trade it is imperative for ship operators to keep the world moving despite the difficult operating conditions formed amid COVID-19, said MSC Group President & CEO Diego Aponte.

The remarks were made in a new open letter regarding the COVID-19 situation for cargo business of Geneva-based giant Mediterranean Shipping Company.

As an essential cog for global trade it is imperative that we, together with our customers, keep the world moving despite the difficult...

https://safety4sea.com/shipping-needs-to-keep-the-world-moving-says-msc-ceo/

IMO seeks UN support concerning “keyworker” designation for seafarers

During a virtual meeting on 1st of April between the IMO Secretary- General Kitack Lim, UN chiefs and the UN Secretary-General, was among others addressed the COVID-19 pandemic situation and its impacts around the maritime industry.

In light of the situation, the IMO- Secretary-General Kitack Lim requested from the United Nations system agencies to provide their support concerning IMO’s request to governments to declare seafarers, port personnel and other crucial maritime workers as key...

https://safety4sea.com/imo-seeks-un-support-concerning-keyworker-designation-for-seafarers/

China’s ports preparing for second hit amid global COVID-19 trade disruption

The port and shipping sector in China is getting ready for a second wave of supply chain disruptions that may be deeper and more prolonged than the recent COVID-19 lockdown, as the global spread of the virus impedes international demand.

China has reported a significant decrease in COVID-19 cases through March, which has allowed workers to return to posts and ports to return to normal cargo operations.

But with virus outbreaks now overwhelming healthcare systems and shutting logistics channels in...

https://safety4sea.com/chinas-ports-preparing-for-second-hit-amid-global-covid-19-trade-disruption/

WTO, FAO, WHO urge food trade to keep flowing

The heads of the World Trade Organization (WTO), the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the World Health Organization (WHO) called governments to minimize the impact of COVID-19 related border restrictions on trade in food.

As countries move to enact measures aiming to halt the accelerating COVID-19 pandemic, the three organizations noted that care must be taken to minimize potential impacts on the food supply or unintended consequences on global trade and food security.

The...

https://safety4sea.com/wto-fao-who-urge-food-trade-to-keep-flowing/

US to address COVID-19 supply chain impacts

The US Federal Maritime Commission issued an order authorizing Commissioner Rebecca Dye to identify operational solutions to cargo delivery system challenges related to COVID-19.

The Order highlights that the recent global events have only emphasized the economic urgency of responsive port and terminal operations to the effectiveness of the US international freight delivery system.

The Commission has a clear and compelling responsibility to actively respond to current challenges impacting the...

https://safety4sea.com/us-to-address-covid-19-supply-chain-impacts/

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