Pictured above: Lufthansa loading an Airbus A330 passenger aircraft with highly urgent goods, mainly from the medical sector. In addition to the cargo compartments, the cabin including the stowage compartments above the seats was also loaded. Â – Lufthansa [From Forbes.com] The Australian Government will re-launch hundreds of flights to deliver fresh produce to key international […]
Here in Australia, Federal and State governments have affirmed their commitment to keep the cargo flowing. At a meeting between COAG’s Transport and Infrastructure Council (TIC) and State and Territory Transport Ministers, Chaired by the Deputy Prime Minister, all ministers in attendance formally affirmed the critical role the freight sector plays in providing essential supplies […]
In drastic moves, major airlines including Qantas, Jetstar and Virgin Australia have announced the cancellation of international flights, due to the ongoing effects of the COVID-19 outbreak. While this comes as a result of the prohibition of passenger travel, it has a knock-on effect on air cargo, which is mostly carried in the belly of […]
Shipping Australia Limited (SAL), which comprises all the major cargo shipping lines, has released a media statement expressing grave concern about the banning of commercial ships entering Queensland ports. Maritime Safety Queensland (MSQ) banned all commercial ships from docking in Queensland if the vessel, or any person onboard, has been in any country outside of […]
For those small businesses involved in import and/or export, we present this brief compilation of how international supply chains are coping with the COVID-19 virus problems. China Factories are reopening, but automakers and other industries aren’t expected to return to normal production until at least mid-April due to disruption to supplies of components. Reports are […]
Australia’s flag-carrier airline, Qantas, announced yesterday (10/03/20) further cuts to its international flying, reducing capacity by almost a quarter for the next six months. These additional changes will bring the total international capacity reduction for Qantas and Jetstar from 5% to 23% versus the same time last year and extend these cuts until mid-September 2020. […]
COVID-19 presents a new obstacle to many shipowners in keeping their vessels commercially viable. The daily cost for a container ship operation can run from US$25,000 to US$85,000 and more, exclusive of fuel cost. Fuel can run over US$130,000 per day. About 80% of world goods trade by volume is carried by sea and China […]
As China makes some progress in stemming new outbreaks of COVID-19 and a trickle of workers return to its factories, outbreaks are now becoming more widespread across the globe – in particular Northern Italy, South Korea and Iran. Airlines and countries are continuing to restrict travel to prevent the further spread of the disease outside […]
A.P. Moller-Maersk A/S, the world’s largest container shipping company, has warned that the Covid-19 outbreak in China, and quickly spreading across the world, would hit earnings this year. Maersk said factories in China are currently operating at 50-60% of capacity because the economy has ground to a halt. Maersk reported an unexpected loss in the fourth quarter of US$72 million […]
There are reports of a lower availability of refrigerated containers for our exporters to use, which has been caused by reduced activity at China’s ports due to COVID-19 and the extension of the Chinese New Year holidays.  The likelihood of a global container shortage has even been suggested. The COVID-19 virus has severely impacted some […]
