Planned Strike at Felixstowe Port
Workers at Felixstowe, the UK’s largest container port, have backed strike action in a dispute over pay that will cause “major logistical problems”. The potential impact of the planned strike will depend on how long it lasts, if it goes ahead, and whether it results in shipping lines cancelling calls at the port or transferring those calls to…
Do You Need to Arrange Transport Insurance?
Although in some cases compensation may be payable by a carrier, in most cases it’s subject to various restrictions, which means that you may receive less than your goods are worth should they become lost or damaged whilst in transit. The only way to guarantee complete peace of mind is to make sure that your goods are properly…
FMC probes eight lines over surcharges
The US Federal Maritime Commission (FMC) has asked eight of the major global ocean carriers – CMA CGM, Hapag-Lloyd, HMM, Matson, MSC, OOCL, SM Line and Zim – to provide details about their congestion and related surcharges. The Commission’s Bureau of Enforcement will assess whether the surcharges were instituted properly and in accordance with legal…
Delays at Yantian Port
The Port of Yantian is to stop taking in loaded containers as congestion at the export hub in Southern China deteriorates. The restriction will be implemented from 2200 hrs local time on May 25 to 2359 hrs on May 27 and will only be partly lifted afterwards for export boxes with their vessels expected to…
Suez Canal Blocked by Evergreen-Operated Container
THE SUEZ canal remains closed due to the grounding of a 400m-long (1,300ft) Evergreen-operated 20,000 teu containership on Tuesday, blocking traffic on one of the most important waterways in the world. 12% of global trade passes through the Suez Canal, and that remains at a halt. Lloyd’s List Intelligence AIS tracking confirms that the container, the…
Asia-North Europe Spot Rates Increased 327% in Q4 2020
Spot freight rate increases on the Asia-Europe trade in the fourth quarter (Q4) outstripped hikes on all other major lanes, with the price escalation on this and other major trades meaning that the transpacific has flipped from being the most lucrative to the least lucrative for carriers in just four months, according to analysis from Alphaliner. The…
Year of the Dog 2018 – What This Means For Importers
Christmas and New Year’s celebrations may be over in the UK but in China the festivities haven’t even begun! In 2018, the Year of the Dog, the Chinese New Year falls on Friday 16th February. The Chinese New Year festival lasts for 15 days from Friday 16th – March 2nd, 2018. The public holiday officially lasts for seven days from Thursday 15th February…
How To Do Business In China
After being in business for 29 years and servicing 50+ cities around the world, we’ve picked up a few things when it comes to international business etiquette. Today let’s take a bite-sized look at what to keep in mind when doing business in China. How To Do Business In China Here are nine things to…
How To Do Business In Japan
After being in business for 28 years and servicing 50+ cities around the world, we’ve picked up a few things when it comes to international business etiquette. Today let’s take a bite-sized look at what to keep in mind when doing business in Japan. How To Do Business In Japan Here are nine things to…