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News Desk


Airfreight confidence remains high, says IATA


IN THE AIR The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has released the results of its latest ‘Airline Business Confidence Index’ survey which indicate that industry leaders are still optimistic about continued growth in demand for airfreight, but are cautious as figures come down from the highs of last year. Many carriers are pointing to rising fuel prices as the principal cause of the slowing growth.


Demand in global air freight markets, measured in freight tonne kilometers (FTK), rose 2.7% in June 2018, compared with the same month the year before, according to


data from IATA. This continues the slowdown in air cargo growth that began earlier in 2018. Growth for the first half of 2018 was 4.7%, less than half the growth rate in 2017.


INTERNATIONAL TRADE New advanced manifest regulations have been applied by Chinese Customs since 1 August, 2018, requiring that advanced manifests be submitted for all sea and air inbound/outbound shipments. The legislation requires that complete and accurate digital manifest data must be submitted to China Customs before departure for air shipments, and 24 hours before loading for sea shipments.


UK exports of goods and services to the rest of the world were higher than UK exports to the EU – for the ninth year running. Figures released in the second calendar year after the EU referendum showed exports to non-EU countries amounted to £342 billion in 2017, with Oman being the fastest growing export market for the UK since 2010. Exports to EU countries stood at £247 billion in 2017.


IN BUSINESS More than half of companies in transport and logistics think they are unprepared for Brexit, according to a survey by Blacks Solicitors. Some 52% revealed they feel under-prepared, and a further 48% are worried about leaving the EU. In addition, 39% said they have limited understanding of how the Brexit process will affect their business and the implications for workers’ rights under new upcoming immigration laws.


OVERLAND Overnight HGV parking should be considered in planning decisions and when distribution centres are proposed, according to new government guidelines contained in an updated National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF). The move should ensure driver welfare is taken into account by local authorities and that they should recognise the importance of providing adequate overnight lorry parking facilities, particularly in areas of local shortage.


A national campaign has started to reduce the number of bridge strikes, as statistics reveal many drivers are taking risks when going under railway bridges, with disastrous results. The ‘wise up, size up’ bridge strikes campaign, spearheaded by Network Rail, aims


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


to encourage drivers to fully understand the size of their vehicles and plan their route to avoid hitting low bridges.


New powers provide reassurance for hauliers to continue planning for a smooth EU exit. As a recent White Paper set out, the government’s overall aim in its negotiations with the EU is to retain reciprocal access for road hauliers. The DVSA is making progress in creating a permit administration scheme and the DVLA on establishing a trailer registration scheme, with both intending to be open for applications later this year.


ON THE OCEAN Owners of ageing small gas- guzzling containerships are likely to renew their interest in scrapping as the charter market makes an unexpected U-turn, says Alphaliner. According to its latest idle tonnage report (in August), there were 131 ships of 500-5,100 teu in hot or cold lay-up seeking employment, compared with just 56 in February 2016.


Container line schedule reliability remains at its lowest level yet for the time of the year, despite improving from its worst-ever figures during the first quarter of this year, according to analysis by SeaIntel.


PORTSIDE World container port throughput will increase by 240 million teu, from about 745 million teu at present, to 985 million teu by 2020, “thanks to strong underlying economic momentum across the world’s major economies”, according to maritime consultancy Drewry in its Global Container Terminal Operators Annual Review and Forecast 2018.


Portsmouth International Port’s new £9 million ferry linkspan has been opened. It will be able to accommodate 900,000 vehicle movements through the port each year.


September 2018


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