“The outside world has become fixated on Flexport.”
So said Steve Walker, founder of SBS Worldwide and chief executive of forwarder supplier SWG, in a speech to Canadian Forwarder Association CIFFA this week.
“I have respect for what Flexport ise creating,” he continued. “Yet, when you pull away from the headlines what is it?
“It is an online 3PL, with its own TMS, operational hubs, air charter contracts. And with country offices. And with staff. ...

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Carrier action to curtail capacity on the Asia-North Europe trade this month appears to have been a success, judging by this week’s Shanghai Containerised Freight Index (SCFI).
After several weeks of declining spot rates following China’s Golden Week holiday and this year’s peak shipping season, Asia-North Europe spot rates have held onto the stability seen last week.
The SCFI’s Shanghai-North Europe component showed a marginal decline of just $4, to finish the week ...

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FedEx is targeting more Australian business after acquiring Sydney-headquartered logistics operator Manton Air-Sea.
Pending regulatory approval, the purchase of the forwarder and customs brokerage specialist is expected to be completed before the end of the year.
Chief executive of FedEx Trade Networks Richard Smith said: “Adding Manton will open up opportunities to expand in Australia with [its] strong GDP and significant Asia Pacific market.
“We are delighted to add the Manton team members to ...

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Container ports should spearhead an “Internet of Logistics” to tackle inefficiencies in global container supply chains.
According to PSA International chief executive Tan Chong Meng, a “connected community” beyond the scope of Internet of Things (IoT) technology is needed to improve data sharing.
“Our first ‘container port 4.0’ concept was very much an IoT-driven idea,” he said at the TPM Asia conference in Shenzhen last week.
“But when we started to look at ...

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A call with a London-based financial broker closely monitoring the DSV/CEVA situation strengthened my conviction that there is a near-zero chance DSV will improve its initial bid, CHF27.75 a share, immediately rejected by the CEVA Logistics board last week.
A number of my freight forwarding sources believe DSV will return with an improved offer, and quickly; but institutional investors and the brokers working on their behalf believe otherwise.
One told me DSV would ...

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Bell Helicopter and Yamato are to team up to develop what has been described as a “flying truck”. Japan News reports that the unmanned aerial vehicle will fly at speeds of at least 169kph, with a load capacity of 450kg. Bell will be responsible for development of the drone, while Yamato will take on the task of constructing the cargo container. According to the report, the aim is to have a ...

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Six UK plastic waste exporters have had their licences suspended or cancelled in the past three months, with the government setting up an investigation into “widespread” abuse. The Guardian reports that the UK is about to be banned from exporting packaging waste, amid claims that organised criminals and firms have been abusing the system. Complaints range from falsely claiming for waste that does not exist, waste not being recycled and left ...

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CMA CGM’s investment into Ceva Logistics is not a threat to forwarder-controlled ocean freight, according to Nicolas Sartini, CEO of subsidiary carrier APL.
Speaking prior to yesterday’s announcement that CMA had upped its stake in Ceva to 33%, Mr Sartini said the rationale of the investment was to provide integrated services to large shippers that want to do direct business with carriers.
“Some customers want to deal only with forwarders, some only carriers and ...

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Kuehne + Nagel today reported another strong quarter, with nine-month numbers showing significant gains – although some analysts have urged caution.
Net turnover from January to September climbed 13.6% year on year to CHF15.3bn ($15.4bn), generating ebit of CHF745m, up 8.8% on 2017.
Chief executive Detlef Trefzger said: “We’ve continued the dynamic performance from the first half into the third quarter, and achieved a very positive result for the nine months.
“And the performance in the ...

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Icelandic shipping line and multimodal operator Samskip has launched a direct rail service between the Italian rail freight hub of Melzo and Amsterdam.
The aim is to build on the Dutch port’s new strategy of targeting shortsea intra-Europe volumes.
The thrice-weekly service will see the 750-metre trains arrive at Amsterdam’s TMA Logistics’ Holland Cargo Terminal (HCT), after a 24-hour trip, to link up with Samksip’s shortsea vessel departures to Hull.
“This will create a seamless ...

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