Industry News

Shipping Industry Expresses Concern Over Recent Trade Developments

A delegation from the International Chamber of Shipping (ICS), the Asian Shipowners’ Association (ASA) and the European Community Shipowners’ Associations (ECSA) has, at the World Trade Organization (WTO) in Geneva, expressed concern over recent increases in protectionist measures. Presenting two position papers to the WTO, the shipping sector has “fully committed to the preservation and promotion of free trade policies and principles around the world.”

End of Intermediaries Grant Scheme

As part of an £8 million investment to support training and automation in the customs intermediaries sector, a £5 million grant scheme opened in December 2018, lasting until 31 May 2019. With the deadline for applications approaching, HMRC asking that BIFA reminds its members of the funding available through the grant.

World Container Index - 09 May

The World Container Index assessed by Drewry, a composite of container freight rates on 8 major routes to/from the US, Europe and Asia is up 1.1% to $1,393.70 per 40ft container (updated Thursday, 9 May 2019).

Weak air freight demand continues

The International Air Transport Association (IATA) released data for global air freight markets showing that demand, measured in freight tonne kilometers (FTKs), increased 0.1% in March 2019, compared to the same period in 2018. While this is a significant improvement on the 4.9% contraction in February, in seasonally adjusted terms, demand is still down 1.5% over the past year.

Global freight forwarding market forecast to grow at a CAGR of 4% to 4.5% until 2020

The freight forwarding market is expected to achieve a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 4 - 4.5% through to 2020 driven principally by e-commerce

Heathrow Animal Reception Centre - HARC - ITSF

United Kingdom Border Force (UKBF) confirm that the Heathrow Animal Reception Centre (HARC) has been approved as an inventory linked location on CCS-UK at Heathrow Airport with following details: -

Strong fundamentals underpin healthy European road freight expansion

Ti’s 2018 European Road Freight Market shows a market gradually slowing from 2017’s peak, although one in which growth remains solid. At 2.9% in real terms, the market expanded at its second quickest rate since 2010, showing resilience to a number of headwinds in the wider European economy. Of some concern however will be 2019’s expected growth, which shows a further slowing in the year ahead.

European road haulage capacity at 'decade high' level

Rates decline but remain at relatively high levels, according to quarterly study.

World Container Index - 02 May

The World Container Index assessed by Drewry, a composite of container freight rates on 8 major routes to/from the US, Europe and Asia is up 2.7% to $1,378.99 per 40ft container (updated Thursday, 2 May 2019).

Forwarders welcome Heathrow ruling

Speaking after yesterday’s ruling by the High Court in London against campaigners challenging the legality of the UK government’s decision to allow a third runway at Heathrow Airport, Robert Keen, Director General of the British International Freight Association (BIFA) said: