Air News:
Demand for air cargo showed modest improvement in February, continuing the trend that began in the fourth quarter of 2012, according to data released by the International Air Transport Association.
Lufthansa Cargo reported a sharply lower decline in freight traffic in March, ending a long run of steep monthly falls and suggesting the slump in the global air cargo market also is bottoming out.
Ocean News:
The ocean container industry may make a “decent profit” in 2013 as average freight rates and volumes are expected to increase 3 to 4 percent and bunker costs to decline 1.5 percent, according to a forecast by Drewry Shipping Consultants.
The world’s idle containership fleet has grown to its highest level in more than a year, according to the latest data from Lloyd’s List Intelligence.
Compliance News:
European Commission proposes to modernise the EU’s trade defence instruments
Implementation of the Canada-Panama Free Trade Agreement
Side-by-Side Comparison Chart of U.S. Free Trade Agreements Available
Economy News:
Import volume at the nation’s major retail container ports is predicted to rise 2.7 percent in April compared with the same month last year, despite federal spending cuts that took effect in March, according to the monthly Global Port Tracker study released by the National Retail Federation and Hackett Associates.
Port Strike News:
Transfer of cargo from mother ships in outer anchorage areas and at 16 terminals on the Karnaphuli river in Chittagong were disrupted after workers of lighterage vessels have gone on strike.
Striking dockworkers at Hongkong International Terminals Ltd., will resume talks with their employers after previous discussions yielded no agreement.
Surface News:
The long term vision that US long distance trucking could be fuelled by natural gas is closer to becoming a reality. Major US operators have already started the shift, and where they are going, others are likely to follow.
Kansas City Southern has teamed up with the national chamber of the iron and steel industry in Mexico, to prepare for the growth of the Mexican steel industry and develop strategies for dealing with global markets.
