Amanda Bradfield on LinkedIn: A container fire at the Port of Antwerp led to an evacuation of the port… (2024)

Does bigger mean better?Gianluigi Aponte founded Mediterranean Shipping Co (MSC) has become the first liner to achieve a 20% global market share since Maersk did briefly in 2018. MSC is also on the verge of becoming the first carrier with a fleet exceeding 6 million TEU, needing just one more megamax delivery.While MSC is gearing up to operate solo from next year, Maersk is partnering with Hapag-Lloyd to launch the Gemini Cooperation in February 2025. Analysts at Alphaliner predict MSC’s market share will match Maersk and Hapag-Lloyd's combined by that point.MSC's journey from its 1970 launch to becoming the world’s largest carrier in early 2022 is unprecedented, driven by newbuild orders and secondhand purchases. Projections by Sea-Intelligence suggest MSC will grow its lead, with a fleet exceeding 7 million slots by April 2026, making it significantly larger than the second-largest carrier, CMA CGM.Beyond shipping, MSC has diversified into cruises (they even have their own signature fragrance that is used on their cruise ships 😲), airplanes, logistics, newspapers, towage, and car carriers.

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As D:Ream once sang – “Things can only get better” 🎵 The monthly Global Liner Performance report by Sea Intelligence has been released for May and the results are a little shocking.Liner schedule reliability improved by 3.8% compared with April, to reach 55.8% - this is the highest schedule reliability figure for the year so far.My eyebrows raised too!Sea-Intelligence chief executive Alan Murphy highlighted the fact that “despite the improvement in schedule reliability, the average delay for late vessel arrivals continued to deteriorate, increasing by 0.34 days month on month, to 5.1 days.This figure is now inching closer to the pandemic highs than the pre-pandemic lows. On a year-on-year level, the May 2024 figure was 0.73 days higher,” he said.So what does this mean?Despite the improvement for the month of May the schedule reliability is now dropping closer to the dark days during the pandemic (at the lowest point it was around 30%) however it does have a way to go before this point.In Australia, it definitely feels like there is no schedule reliability due to port congestion, frequent diversions and omissions.CMA CGM recorded the highest schedule reliability, with PIL recording the lowest.As expected, the reliability of all lines decreased compared to May 2023 records.Are there any surprises here?

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📣 This is for the customs brokers out there, don't be shy! 😊 While it is not as spicy as the D&D conversation in the FCL world, the topic of Brown Marmorated Stink Bug (BMSB) treatment for LCL cargo does like to be hotly contested.Here's the scenario. We have some target high risk goods that have been hubbed in Singapore - they are of Italian origin. Cargo will depart Singapore shortly, right in the middle of our BMSB "off" season. We cannot prove when the goods were shipped from origin.Does the cargo require BMSB treatment prior to arrival in Australia?

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Only in Japan.. (now this one has me scratching my head) Japan is developing a new plan for an 'autoflow road,' which will replace truck traffic with a 500km cargo conveyor belt. This belt will travel through tunnels under motorways and along the hard shoulder or central reservation, connecting Tokyo and Osaka.The primary motivation for the scheme is addressing the truck driver shortage, a problem shared by many countries like the US and UK. By 2030, many Japanese truck drivers will retire, reducing their numbers from 660,000 in 2020 to 480,000, leaving 35% of cargo without drivers.Tetsuo Saito, Japan’s transport minister, stated that the autoflow road would not only tackle the logistics crisis but also reduce greenhouse gas emissions. He emphasised the need for swift discussions on the matter.But what about unaccompanied freight's biggest threat - theft?While crime exists in Japan, it is uniquely organised by the famous crime syndicate, the Yakuza. The Yakuza often "police" its members and other criminals. Consequently, theft rates are much lower than in the US, France, and Germany, with Japan experiencing just 1.2 robberies per 100,000 people compared to 81.4, 43.8, and 43.2 respectively. The autoflow road might be more feasible in Japan, warranting serious government consideration. Did you know that the world's longest conveyor belt is 98 km long? It is located in Bou Craa, Morocco, and transports phosphate ore.

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In this month’s edition of the DCN - Daily Cargo News magazine, I explore the fantasy world where logistics is priced “just right”.Currently we are in an upward trend for freight rates, but we all know that the pendulum will swing back at some point. We must remember that there are no winners (in any part of the supply chain) when we are in a rate race to the bottom.Thank you DCN - Daily Cargo News, Abby Williams and Lindsay Reed for the coverage.https://lnkd.in/gMQ-KHXK

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It's been a huge few days for Fremantle, with the announcement of the LinerGame coming to Fremantle, as well as the Container Transport Alliance Australia (CTAA) Supply Chain Awareness Workshop.I attended this workshop led by Neil Chambers and found it incredibly valuable. I highly recommend it not only for newcomers to the industry but also for those with experience. I assure you, you will learn something new.(it's nice not to be bypassed - thank you Neil 😂)

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Dates are now confirmed for Fremantle! 🎉 Who would like to join me for a day experiencing what it's like to make commercial and operation decisions in vessel loading?

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🎉 Happy National Logistics Day for 2024 🎉This day is dedicated to honouring the professionals working in the logistics sector and their efforts in ensuring the timely and safe delivery of goods and services.Let’s see what’s on our minds this week (and if you’re not thinking about, you may be now! 😂)🛳 Singapore congestion continues and is highlighting the ripple effect of the Red Sea Crisis🌊 South China Sea clashes continue ❓ Houthi reach extends as they claim to have used a hypersonic missile to target an MSC vessel (MSC Sarah V) in the Gulf of Aden – no direct hit was reported🤔 After a lengthy dispute Cosco has now been given the right to operate Chancay port, Peru, exclusively🌧 Following heavy rains the Panama Canal Authority has allowed heavier ships with larger cargo holds to transit through the Neopanamax locks. ❄ Move to -15C – this campaign to raise reefer temperatures is gaining momentum with a huge environmental impact for a small change💧 Singapore’s oil spill cleanup is largely completed😱 Equipment shortages, blank sailings, port omissions, and space issues still causing havoc💰 As liner operators become desperate for ships, charter rates have hit the USD$150,000/day mark🛳 A vessel phase in / phase out and an omission of Singapore causes some confusion for Fremantle trade❌ More northbound port omissions for Fremantle announced Reach out if you want a more effective way to transport goods than via a horse and cart or if any further information on any of the above 🤣 🐴

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Come one, come all, It's happenin' againNo, these are not photos of the Ever Given - I give to you the Baltic Arrow (AND a fancy new acronym NAABSA 😲)This vessel, carrying a load of timber, was stuck sideways in the River Nene in Cambridgeshire (UK), but now appears to have been freed.The vessel was on its way to the port at the time of the grounding. (Grounding can be described as the vessel no longer being afloat and the hull of the ship touching the river bed)On this occasion, it was down to the tide going out whilst part of the vessel was in contact with the bank. All berths at Wisbech port are NAABSA berths which stands for 'not always afloat but safely aground' so technically all vessels ground whilst moored here during low water. The riverbed is very soft and sludgy here and the vessel is designed to safely ground so we are confident of no ongoing issues.""Since tide has fallen away, plan is to wait until vessel is afloat at next high water to free her from banks with additional tug assistance and continue her pilotage safely into Wisbech Port. This is a rare situation to happen at Wisbech. We hope to have vessel freed this evening and bring her alongside for discharging as usual." said a spokesperson for the port.According to MarineTraffic - the vessel is now not sideways and, I would imagine, is anxiously awaiting high tide.

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