Newsletter – December 9, 2020

AIR FREIGHT UPDATES

Monster-size cargo plane returns to fill air transport void

freightwaves.com

The world’s largest operational cargo plane, nicknamed Mriya, or “Dream” in Ukrainian, is returning from a short hibernation to help address a global shortage of heavy-lift air transport.

The massive, six-engine plane can carry 225 tons of cargo, such as huge electrical transformers. It was originally built in the 1980s to transport rockets and space shuttles for the Soviet space program. The Antonov-124, the largest commercial aircraft in regular operation, is puny by comparison, holding a mere 120 tons. Read more here.

WHO complains of ‘outrageous’ air freight rates – $105 per kg, anyone?

theloadstar.com

Medical-related products have seen air cargo prices soar, despite prices as shown by the TAC Index continuing to oscillate around the ‘new normal’ levels, with the highest rate this week from Shanghai to North America at $7.73 per kilo.
But according to the World Health Organisation, carriers are charging “outrageous” prices to fly dry ice and other medical equipment. Read more here (login required).

Air Canada suspends all Saint John flights, and Fredericton-Toronto service

cbc.ca

Air Canada is suspending all flights out of the Saint John Airport and all Toronto flights out of the Fredericton International Airport indefinitely, starting Jan. 11, because of the second wave of the pandemic. Read more here.

Honda turns to airfreight as UK box ports face gridlock

aircargonews.net

Car manufacturer Honda will pause production in the UK and turn to airfreight to get parts into the country as container ports face gridlock.

The Japanese firm told the BBC that it will pause production at its Swindon, UK, site today due to a transport-related parts delay that is affecting its just-in-time supply chain operation. Read more here.

OCEAN FREIGHT UPDATES

China-Vietnam sourcing shift enters phase two, bringing more box congestion

theloadstar.com

The manufacturing shift from China to Vietnam is moving up a gear, putting pressure on the country’s container supply chains.

With 2.4% GDP growth forecast by the IMF, Vietnam is on track to become one of the fastest growing economies in the world in 2020, as many others fall into lockdown-induced recessions. Read more here.

FMC investigates possible law-breaking by carriers as agricultural exports suffer

newsbreak.com

The US Federal Maritime Commission (FMC) is renewing its focus on container availability levels for the country’s agricultural exporters. Speaking yesterday at the Global Maritime Conference, FMC chairman Michael Khouri said the organisation was looking into whether reports that some carriers are refusing to allow empty containers into the US hinterland, preferring to send them directly back to Asia. Read more here.

CANADA BUSINESS – GOVERNMENT UPDATES

How Air Canada Is Preparing To Fly The Boeing 737 MAX Again

simpleflying.com

With the Boeing 737 MAX cleared for operations again in the United States and Brazil, Air Canada is gearing up to take the MAX to the skies once again. Canadian regulators are yet to provide approval for passenger flights with the aircraft but have granted Air Canada permission to conduct training flights. Read more here.

Alberta imposes tough new restrictions in bid to curb soaring COVID-19 infections

cbc.ca

The Alberta government ordered the closure of all casinos and gyms, banned dine-in service at restaurants and bars, and imposed a mandatory provincewide mask requirement on Tuesday under new restrictions aimed at curbing the province’s soaring COVID-19 infection rates.

The province also banned all outdoor and indoor social gatherings, and imposed mandatory work-from-home measures. Read more here.