AEO accredited and C-TPAT certified shippers will be reap the benefits of faster US customs clearance as a result of an agreement signed on May 4^th.the new agreement gives the EU’s AEO (Authorised Economic Operator) accreditation and the US’s C-TPAT(Customs Trade Partnership Against Terrorism) mutual recognition which will have a positive effect on 15,000 “trusted traders” worldwide.

In real terms what does this mean for AEO accredited traders?

In real terms the 100% screening rule for all US bound containers will be relaxed somewhat for certified shippers, whereas non AEO/C-TPAT shippers will have additional focus put on…

The Shanghai Container Freight Index (SCFI) reported that during the week ending 27-04-2012, freight rates between China and Northern Europe increase by a staggering 3.3%, which in monetary terms is $180 per TEU (twenty unit equivalent). This increase surprised many market analysts as a substantial rate increase is due to be implemented by several major carriers today, May 1^st.

However, in regards implementing further rate increases, Lars Jensen, esteemed freight industry analyst, warned that ““With the capacity reductions now disappearing, the carriers are facing a test: will they collectively…

OOCL has announced their intention to implement a rate increase on its Asia-Europe services, which will be “applied to all cargo loading on or after or after May 15^th”. The may rate increase is in addition to a GRI(general rate increase) of $800 per TEU on the same route which was implemented on March 1^st and another rate increase in April which equated to $200 per TEU. The May rate increase also equated to $200 per TEU.

The reasoning behind the most recent rate increase was explained in a press release as being “Currently, ocean freight rates continue to be below the required level to cover basic operating costs or transportation…

Cargo Volumes for Air France-KLM fell by 3.4%, year on year, in March 2012. Cargo capacity was also down 0.6% when compared to March 2011. The comparative load factor was also down 2.0 points whilst unit revenue per available ton kilometre remained stable.

The main areas of decline were in the Americas and Asia, which fell by 6.3% and 2.8% respectively.

To read the full Air France press releases, please click here………………………….

2012 could prove to be a challenging year for carriers as Alphaliner predicts that carriers could require funding of $20 Billion to cover interest payments and capital requirements.

The high level of indebtness in the industry is of growing concern taking into account that container shipping lines made losses of over $6 Billon in 2011. Alphaliner said that “Greater attention will be paid to their balance sheets, with fresh capital injections required to keep some of the companies’ solvent. Alphaliner estimates that total short term funding needs for container carriers could reach $20 Bn in 2012, based on the companies’ estimated…