From the box-ship traffic jam in California, to 2M’s last-minute Asia-Europe blanking, to crew changes in Singapore, to huge European port mergers, to CMA CGM’s new air cargo division … we’ve got a lot going on in this week’s international freight updates. Short on time? Check out our summary of the latest events impacting the shipping industry:
Week 7 Freight Updates
February 17th, 2021
New video shows massive scope of California box-ship traffic jam
Newly released U.S. Coast Guard video offers visceral proof of just how extreme the congestion has become at the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach. The new view from above reveals a vast armada of container ships scattered at anchor across California’s San Pedro Bay.
4 charts show the effects of West Coast port congestion and supply chain delays
The ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach have been overburdened with a deluge of container imports over the last few months. As a result, cargo heading into and out of the ports has slowed to a relative crawl, as the ports deal with record-breaking volume alongside a reduction in staff related to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Shipper credulity strained after 2M's last-minute Asia-Europe blanking
The 2M alliance has announced a further blank sailing this week from Asia to North Europe to use the vessel on another service. The last-minute cancellation of the sailing of the 19,224 teu MSC Erica from Shanghai on 21 February is surprising, given that the ship is due at the port at 4am on Sunday in ballast and, according to a local report, is fully booked.
Crew changes at Singapore port cross 100,000 amid Covid-19
Singapore has crossed the 100,000 mark for crew change carried out at the port during the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, according to the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA).
Several European ports unite in two giant mergers
Europe’s hub ports are strengthening their market positions through giant mergers, with Belgium’s Antwerp and Zeebrugge agreeing to join forces, while three French ports are preparing to consolidate into a single complex.The Belgian port deal was announced Friday between the City of Antwerp and the City of Bruges.
CMA CGM creates air cargo division, purchases four freighter aircraft
To support its expansion into air freight, the CMA CGM Group is buying four 60-tonne-payload Airbus A330-200F freighter aircraft, which came into service between 2014 and 2016. With a range of 4,000 nautical miles, they will connect Europe with the rest of the world.
