Newsletter – February 8, 2024

AIR FREIGHT UPDATES

India’s rapid rise
aircargoweek.com
Despite the recent disruptions and challenges that have affected the global industry, the Indian air cargo and logistics sectors is performing strongly. Following the pandemic, India has emerged as a global powerhouse for the production and exportation of key goods such as pharmaceuticals, high-tech e-commerce such as mobile phones, and fresh produce. Read more here.

Strike by ground staff set to disrupt Lufthansa’s cargo operations
theloadstar.com
Strike action by ground staff at Lufthansa Cargo will cause significant disruption to freighter operations tomorrow.
Yesterday, Lufthansa warned customers that labour union ver.di had called on ground staff at Lufthansa and Lufthansa Cargo to strike tomorrow from 4am CET until Thursday at 7:10am. Read more here (login required).

OCEAN FREIGHT UPDATES

As Navies Focus on Red Sea Houthis, There Are Worrying Signs Somali Pirates Are Making a Comeback
ajot.com
With western navies focused on trying to quell Houthi militants’ attacks on merchant shipping in the Red Sea, Somali pirates are quietly showing signs of making a comeback.
In December, they hijacked their first ship in six years when the commodity carrier Ruen was boarded and taken to a port in the east African country, according to the International Maritime Bureau, a piracy watchdog. Read more here.

Charter market gets a boost as carriers look to plug holes in networks
theloadstar.com
Enforced schedule changes, with ships diverted via the Cape of Good Hope due to Houthi attacks in the Red Sea, are prompting carriers to launch more hub & spoke-type services to plug the gaps in their networks.
This is particularly the case for services to and from the Mediterranean, the most affected by the omission of Suez Canal transits. Read more here.

GROUND AND RAIL FREIGHT UPDATES

Borderlands: Mexico’s truckers plan nationwide strike against cargo theft
freightwaves.com
Truckers across Mexico plan to go on strike Monday to protest rising cargo theft and violence against freight transporters on the country’s roadways.
The strike is set to begin around 7 a.m. Monday and could include thousands of drivers representing up to 15 trucking industry organizations, including members of the United Federal Drivers Association (ACFU), the Mexican Transport Alliance and the Mexican American Transport Federation. Read more here.

INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS – GOVERNMENT UPDATES

Tax waiver extension a welcome boost for Indian garment exporters
theloadstar.com
Indian apparel and ready-made garment (RMG) exporters trying to weather the dual headwinds of depressed demand and Red Sea-linked transit disruptions, breathed a collective sigh of relief when New Delhi decided to extend a tax waiver scheme until March 2026.
The rebate programme – intended to boost the cost competitiveness of Indian goods in global markets – was scheduled to end this March. Read more here.