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News Desk


Slow e-AWB growth is blamed on cargo demand


IN THE AIR The slow growth of electronic air waybill (e-AWB) penetration in 2017 is due to the overall improvement in air cargo demand, according to the International Air Transport Association (IATA). The target for 2017 was 62%, but by October the figure stood at 50.8%, up by only 2.3% since the start of 2017. For 2018, the organisation has increased the target to 68%.


The A350-100 has received type certification from the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), following an intensive flight test campaign over less than a year.


Global airline industry net profits will rise to USD38.4 billion in 2018, IATA has predicted, an improvement from the expected USD34.5 billion net profit in 2017. This follows recent data for global air freight markets showing demand rose by


5.9% in October 2017, compared with the same period in 2016.


RiverOak Strategic Partners (RSP) – which proposes to reopen the UK’s Manston airport as a cargo hub – is to hold a further consultation on its latest plans before applying to the Secretary of State for Transport for a Development Consent order in 2018.


Gatwick Airport saw a positive cargo throughput trend for the six months ended September 2017, with freight volumes rising by 23.3% compared with the same period of 2016. It is likely to be a result of Gatwick’s strengthening long-haul network.


ON THE OCEAN The latest figures released by Drewry conclude that container trade volumes increased significantly throughout 2017, with the fastest-growing regions being North America, Latin America and China. The slowest growing region was Europe.


Pen Test Partners recently highlighted a vulnerability in the load planning processes used by containerships. It suggested that shipowners and managers must have a cyber-security plan in place and review their current IT systems to prevent devastating consequences.


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www.bifa.org Savannah Matheson, from Impress Communications, reviews recent news that might impact on Members’ business


According to maritime analyst Seaintel, 10 out of 11 carriers that have published their third quarter results recorded positive earnings before interest and taxes/operating profit, with HMM being the only one to have recorded losses.


The upcoming 2020 global sulphur cap on vessel emissions could become a game changer in the shipping sector, according to Deutsche Bank. The directive will see carriers forced to either install scrubbers on their vessels, or use more expensive low sulphur fuel.


PORTSIDE In response to the UK government unveiling its industrial strategy plans, UK ports representatives have called for a “long overdue” new freight strategy that will stimulate national and regional development.


UK manufacturers have welcomed the decision to give new legal powers to Transport for the North (TfN) over how money is spent. Legislation to transform TfN into the first statutory sub-national transport body was put before parliament, showcasing the government’s commitment to the Northern Powerhouse.


OVERLAND Highways England has set out new measures for Operation Stack to help improve the road network’s resilience when there are interruptions to services across the English Channel. The news follows the UK government’s recent decision to withdraw its July 2016 plans for a lorry area at Stanford West.


Freight on Rail has welcomed the ongoing commitment to upgrade the rail freight network in the period 2019-2024. It suggests that capacity upgrades should remove a number of the large long-distance lorries, thereby reducing congestion, road collisions, and pollution.


January 2018


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