In this week’s international freight updates, we’re covering everything from intermodal congestion, to record-breaking Chinese export data, to the recent ONE Apus box spill, to North America’s surge in imports, to the distribution of the COVID-19 vaccine. Short on time? Check out our summary of the latest shipping industry news:
Week 50 Freight Updates
December 9th, 2020
Shippers, IMCs eager for answers to solve US intermodal congestion
Intermodal executives are eager to sit with railroads and cargo owners in 2021 to discuss what can be done to solve the supply chain congestion seen this year. Those conversations will include how to increase the reliability of trains, terminal operations, drayage, and the timely return of containers and chassis.
China's exports soar amid post-pandemic rebound
China’s exports surged in November as the Asian economy shrugs off the effects of the coronavirus pandemic. The boom was fueled partly by high demand for PPE and consumer electronics for people isolating at home.
Why this box spill ought to spur change
Captain Colin Smith was horrified last week on seeing the collapsed boxes strewn across the Japanese boxship, ONE Apus. For him, the sight of the destruction was illustrative of many woes facing the shipping industry as a whole.
North America container imports surge 20% in October
The latest figures from CTS highlight the huge disparity in growth of container volumes on different trades and gulf between imports and exports on some sectors, which are exacerbating container repositioning issues and availability at key export ports in China.
China’s U.S., Australia trade continues to grow in record-breaking month despite ongoing geopolitical spats
Record-breaking Chinese export data saw exports to sparring partners Australia and the United States grow strongly in November year over year. China’s surplus with the United States surged to the highest point of Donald Trump’s four-year presidency, despite his vow to eradicate it.
Why timely collaboration is necessary for seamless Covid-19 vaccine distribution
All the aviation and logistics players are getting ready but this is only the beginning. While they have collaborated over the last six months, the emphasis on collaboration is even more than before because of the nature of the vaccine.
