Current News

Ocean freight customers face significant fuel price rise next month

Shippers and forwarders are preparing to help carriers cover the extra cost of next year’s low-sulphur fuel, including some customers on annual contracts also being asked to start paying an IMO BAF from 1 December, reports Drewry.

IMO pushes forward with work to meet ship emission reduction targets

IMO is committed to working to combat climate change, in line with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 13 on climate action.

Freight association Director General wins Lifetime Achievement Award

Robert Keen, director general of the British International Freight Association (BIFA), has been presented with the lifetime achievement honour at this year’s Global Freight Awards.

Rail Freight Group Lays Down its Blueprint for the Future

Pre-Election Manifesto Targets Five Crucial Needs.

US FMC's proposed D&D Rule divides shipping industry

On 31 October, the comment period for the US Federal Maritime Commission’s Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) related to the Interpretive Rule on Demurrage and Detention under the Shipping Act came to an end, with the agency having received more than 70 comments.

September Air Freight Volumes Remain Weak

The International Air Transport Association (IATA) released data for global air freight markets showing that demand, measured in freight tonne kilometers (FTKs), decreased by 4.5% in September 2019, compared to the same period in 2018. This marks the eleventh consecutive month of year-on-year decline in freight volumes, the longest period since the global financial crisis in 2008.

BIFA Young Forwarder Network set for Anglian launch

The British International Freight Association (BIFA) is set to add another regional group to the Young Forwarder Network that it launched earlier this year.

Heathrow cargo consolidation

Heathrow is looking at how they can improve load factors on vehicles travelling to and from the Cargo Centre.

IMO 2020 rule to leave container shipping lines with US$1bn fuel bill

Drewry Shipping Consultants estimates container shipping lines will face an US$11 billion fuel bill next year on account of the switch to low sulphur marine fuel in order to meet the International Maritime Organization's (IMO) new rule that caps sulphur content to 0.5 per cent from January 1. As a result, carriers will likely pass on the extra fuel costs to shippers. If they fail to foot the bill, the carriers are expected to cut service levels.

HM Revenue and Customs Appointment

HM Revenue and Customs has announced that Jim Harra has been appointed as the new Chief Executive and First Permanent Secretary at HMRC, succeeding Sir Jonathan Thompson.