CMA CGM and Air France-KLM officially launch 10-year air cargo partnership
03.04.2023
The long-term strategic air cargo cooperation of Air France-KLM and the CMA CGM Group, which was announced in May 2022, has officially commenced.
CMA CGM and Air France-KLM officially launch 10-year air cargo partnership
Air France-KLM Martinair Cargo, part of the Air France-KLM Group, and CMA CGM Air Cargo, part of the CMA CGM Group, will combine their cargo networks, full freighter capacity, and dedicated services aiming to build a more compelling offering.
The collaboration between the two French giants will have an initial duration of 10 years, as the deal has obtained all necessary legal approvals from the relevant authorities.
With this agreement, Air France-KLM and CMA CGM will jointly operate the full-freighter aircraft capacity of their respective airlines with the combined capacity currently consisting of six full-freighter aircraft at CMA CGM Air Cargo and six full-freighter aircraft at Air France-KLM Group. The commercial partnership also covers Air France-KLM’s belly aircraft capacity, including 160+ long-haul aircraft.
"Our partnership will combine the best of both worlds: flexibility, agility and world-class expertise for regular and dedicated service,” stated Guillaume Lathelize, CEO of CMA CGM Air Cargo.
DP World opens reefer container facility in Sydney
30.03.2023
DP World announced the launch of Reefer World, a new one-stop refrigerated container facility in Sydney, which will offer a wide range of reefer cleaning and repair services to clients in Australia and New Zealand.
The dedicated reefer facility is the largest of its kind in Sydney and one of the largest in Australia, providing a variety of reefer solutions, such as pre-trip wash, inspection, and structural repairs, to improve efficiency and ensure the quality and freshness of perishable cargo delivered to destinations worldwide.
With the opening of this facility, DP World more than doubles its capacity to supply empty reefers, with the ability to pre-trip and wash more than 100 reefer containers daily, and capture growing demand for exports from key markets such as Brisbane and Melbourne, as well as Auckland and Tauranga in New Zealand.
“As businesses continue to build greater agility, reliability and resilience into their supply chains, Reefer World will help to facilitate the timely and efficient flow of perishable goods, while addressing increased export demand in the region,” stated Andrew Adam, CEO of DP World Australia.
AD Ports Group signs agreements for Egyptian ports development
23.03.2023
AD Ports Group signed several agreements to expand its presence and increase its access to ports in Egypt.
AD Ports Group and the Red Sea Ports Authority signed a 30-year concession agreement that allows the Group to develop and operate a multi-purpose terminal at Safaga Port on the Red Sea coast of Egypt.
"Safaga Port will be the first internationally operated port in the Upper Egypt region, bringing cost savings to traders, industries and businesses located in this region," said AD Ports.
Hapag-Lloyd increases rates from Middle East to US
10.03.2023
Hapag-Lloyd announces a new general rate increase (GRI) / General Rate Adjustment (GRA) from the Middle East to the United States for cargo transported in 20’ and 40’ dry, reefer and special containers, including high cube equipment.
The new rate increase will be applicable to all containers gated in full from 29 March 2023 and will be valid until further notice, according to the German carrier.
The GRI will be US$450 per 20' dry container and US$5OO per 40' dry container. Additionally, for 40' high cube containers, there will be an increase of US$500/box.
Hapag-Lloyd noted that it will also implement a GRI of US$450 per 20’ reefer container and US$500 per 40' reefer box.
Furthermore, for 20’ special containers, there will be an increase of US$450/box and for 40’ special containers, there will be an increase of US$500/box.
The geographical scope of this increase is from the Middle East, namely, India, Pakistan, United Arabic Emirates, Bahrain, Oman, Kuwait, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and Sri Lanka, to all the coasts of the United States.
Thailand plans multi-billion-dollar infrastructure investment to boost economy
01.03.2023
Thailand is to invest around US$15 billion in transport infrastructure, including upgrades to its key container port, Laem Chabang, in order to boost economic growth.
The Prime Minister's office said, "The Thai government is currently promoting several large-scale water transport projects, including an industrial port development project in the Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC) district."
It is hoped that building up Thailand's waterway transportation network will boost international trade with the export-oriented Southeast Asian country.
Of the investment amount, roughly US$3 billion will go towards upgrading Laem Chabang, to increase Thailand's export and import cargo transportation capacity. Besides Laem Chabang, the government plans to build and develop one automated container terminal along Bangkok port's West Quay in the future.
To support the deep-sea shipping ecosystem, the government also wants to develop 29 public terminals on the Chao Phraya River to strengthen water traffic safety and develop Laem Chabang into a smart port that has seamless intermodal links with transportation systems such as automobiles and railways.
Despite falling container freight rates, the Thai government has not given up on establishing a national shipping company, and is undertaking a feasibility study.
In an interview with Bloomberg aired today (28 February), Thailand's Finance Minister Arkhom Termpittayapaisith said that these infrastructure projects will insulate the economy from weaker exports.
Besides the port investments, Arkhom said there are plans to build a high-speed railway linking three airports.
Among Southeast Asian economies, Thailand's economic growth stood at 2.1% in 2022, halving from 2021, making it the slowest-growing economy among ASEAN countries.