The driver shortage crisis

New UK logistics staff shortage looms as 79,000 EU workers go home

On top of port congestion, skyrocketing freight rates and the prospect of Brexit chaos, UK logistics operators are also facing the increasing likelihood of critical staff shortages, according to new report from Logistics UK.
The twin challenges of the pandemic and Brexit have led to nearly 80,000 EU nationals leaving the country’s logistics industry in the past 12 months, leaving a significant skills gap, Logistics UK’s Skills and Employment Report 2020 found.
Director of …

The post New UK...

https://theloadstar.com/new-uk-logistics-staff-shortage-looms-as-79000-eu-workers-go-home/

Chaos at port of Felixstowe worsens as carriers refuse return of empty boxes

UK forwarders and shippers who route cargo through the port of Felixstowe will be unable to return empty containers to the port until at least 23 September.
The UK’s largest container port continues to grapple with crippling congestion.
Maersk told customers today it would “temporarily cease acceptance of empty container restitution at the port of Felixstowe”.
But it added: “We will allow inland restitution of empty containers without penalty.”
CMA CGM has also placed …

The post Chaos at port of...

https://theloadstar.com/chaos-at-port-of-felixstowe-worsens-as-carriers-refuse-return-of-empty-boxes/

DHL Global Forwarding feeling more bullish after a strong first quarter

DHL Global Forwarding’s strong first quarter has buoyed the division’s hopes for the year, with expectations of continued growth.
Profit climbed 42.9% in the three months to April, and chief executive of the Americas David Goldberg (pictured above) told The Loadstar the company continued to see good volumes.
He said: “We have been successful in implementing new systems and are in the process of bringing in a number of new customers.”
One of …

The post DHL Global Forwarding feeling more bullish...

https://theloadstar.com/dhl-global-forwarding-feeling-more-bullish-after-a-strong-first-quarter/

There must be a ‘win-win’ element in container line service contracts

Container carriers and customers need to work together to develop annual contracts that ensure shippers are provided with adequate service levels and lines are protected from cost spikes.
Cosco vice president Howard Finkel told delegates at last week’s TOC Container Supply Chain event in Panama: “Service contracts are basically rate sheets, usually with a one-year time limit, whereas there ought to be a win-win element to contracts – lines get protection, volume and payment …

The post There must...

https://theloadstar.co.uk/must-win-win-element-container-line-service-contracts/

Beleaguered UK importers prepared for further delays as more vessels divert from Southampton and Felixstowe

Chronic congestion at the UK’s two largest container ports is forcing ocean carrier planners to make further last-minute ship diversions, causing chaos to the country’s supply chain.
Landside congestion at Felixstowe and Southampton has added to the woes of the UK haulage industry, which is already suffering from an acute shortage of HGV drivers.
Even before the botched implementation of a new terminal operating system at Felixstowe in June, which was the …

The post Beleaguered UK importers...

https://theloadstar.co.uk/beleaguered-us-importers-prepared-delays-vessels-divert-southampton-felixstowe/