Newsletter – August 6, 2020

AIR FREIGHT UPDATES

Air cargo demand continues its gradual recovery

aircargonews.net

The latest figures from CLIVE Data Services show that air cargo volumes continued to climb in July, while load factors for the month remained ahead of last year’s levels.

Airfreight volumes were 20% down on a year ago in July, but this is an improvement on the drops of 26% (April), 31% (May) and 37% (June) recorded over the last few months. Volumes are also up 8% on June’s levels. Read more here.

Air Canada on course with cargo flights, but more cost-cutting on the cards

theloadstar.com

Retreating yields are not putting a dent in Air Canada’s (AC) cargo flight operation.

The Canadian carrier is set to maintain about 100 cargo flights a week, although it is unlikely to repeat its historical feat of the second quarter, which saw cargo revenue outpace turnover in its passenger business. Read more here.

Canada’s Porter Airlines Extends Flight Suspensions To October

simpleflying.com

One of Canada’s niche carriers, Porter Airlines, has announced it is extending its service suspension until October 7th. This is the fourth delay to the airline’s restart target. Porter Airlines has suspended its operations since March 21st. Read more here.

OCEAN FREIGHT UPDATES

Beirut explosion hits container links

lloydsloadinglist.com

The explosion at the port of Beirut is likely to seriously impair the country’s containerised supply chains, threatening its ability to import essential supplies.

It has also dealt a severe blow to the French container giant CMA CGM.

Three cranes collapse at India’s Jawaharlal Nehru Port

splash247.com

Three cranes collapsed in heavy rains and strong winds on Wednesday at Jawaharlal Nehru Port (JNPT), one of the largest ports in India.

“Due to strong winds, three large cranes have fallen down. We are assessing the damage. Fortunately, there is no damage to human life,” Sanjay Sethi, chairman of JNPT, told local press. Read more here.

40% drop in container port capacity expansion

portstrategy.com

The pace of container port capacity expansion is forecast to contract at least 40% over the next five years in the wake of the COVID-19 induced slowdown in port throughput, according to a new report.

Drewry’s latest Global Container Terminal Operators Annual Review and Forecast report said that global container terminal capacity is projected to grow at an average annual rate of 2.1% over the next five years… Read more here.

GROUNDAND RAILFREIGHT UPDATES

Canadian truckers say they’re being refused medical care

freightwaves.com

When Canadian trucker Jean Pothier recently tried to schedule a battery of overdue blood tests, he was told to self-isolate for 14 days first over COVID-19 risks. It wasn’t an option for the cross-border lease operator, who pays about CA$3,000 a month for his truck alone on top of a mortgage for the Ontario home he shares with his wife. Read more here.

CANADA BUSINESS – GOVERNMENT UPDATES

Merchandise trade deficit increases sharply in June

insidelogistics.ca

Canada’s trade deficit rebounded sharply in June as the movement of motor vehicles and parts revved up with a resumption of production after months of COVID-19 lockdowns.

Statistics Canada reported Wednesday that the country’s merchandise trade deficit widened to $3.2 billion from a deficit of $1.3 billion in May and $858 million a year ago. Read more here.