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News
AAPA reports strong growth in August 2024 cargo demand
With our headquarters, as well as several freight and logistics hubs across the Asia Pacific region, we note that preliminary August 2024 traffic figures released by the Association of Asia Pacific Airlines (AAPA) revealed robust growth in international air cargo demand, even as traffic volumes approached pre-pandemic levels.
2024-10-11
Press
e+Solutions (ePlus) Collaborates with Airport Authority Hong Kong on New Corporate Video to Promote Hong Kong as a Global eCommerce Logistics Hub
e+Solutions, a leading eCommerce logistics provider, is excited to announce its collaboration with Airport Authority Hong Kong (AAHK) in the production of a new corporate video, titled ‘Hong Kong International Airport - The e-commerce fulfilment hub in Asia’
2024-10-10
News
US ports see vessel backlog following strike end
Along with our clients, the U-Freight Group breathed a sigh of relief with the speedy conclusion of United States port strike last week, but some delays are being experienced as ports sort through the backlog of queued ships.
2024-10-10
News
US dockers suspend strike action
We welcome the news that the International Longshoremen’s Association has reached a deal with the US Maritime Alliance to suspend the first East Coast and Gulf Coast strike since 1977.
2024-10-04
News
Hong Kong posts 11th consecutive month of air cargo growth
With our headquarters, as well as several freight and logistics hubs in the city, we note that Hong Kong International Airport (HKIA) — the world’s busiest air cargo hub — continued to report double-digit air freight growth in August, driven by peak-season demand and increased trade to Europe, Southeast Asia and the Middle East.
2024-10-02
News
USA port workers initiate strike action
After months of speculation, media reports indicate that the International Longshoremen’s Association (ILA) has initiated a strike that will see workers walk off the job across dozens of ports across the United States’ east coast and Gulf of Mexico.
2024-10-01
News
Asia-Europe container trade rising in 2024
The Container News website reports that container shipments from Asia to Europe amounted to 1.59 million teu in July, according to Japan Maritime Center (JMC) and Container Trades Statistics (CTS).
2024-09-30
News
Australia adds stricter requirements for European/CIS air cargo
U-Freight has an active presence in the Australian airfreight market through our long-standing partner, Seaway Logistics and notes that the country has joined the US and Canada in adding stricter security requirements for cargo originating from European and CIS countries.
2024-09-27
News
US plans for de minimis threshold examined
A recent article on the American Journal of Transportation website about the potential lowering of the de minimis threshold in the USA was of interest to the U-Freight Group, given the level of our involvement in e-commerce logistics.
2024-09-26
News
Will ships have to wait out potential US port strike?
Container cargoes currently bound for the US East Coast could be stuck at sea for the duration of the dockworker strike expected to start next week due to a lack of alternative destinations to offload, according to a report on the Seatrade Maritime website.
2024-09-25
News
US port strike looms
As a strike by dockers in ports along the US East and Gulf coasts draw ever closer, there is much speculation about the likely impact.
2024-09-24
News
‘Sharp decline’ in UK-EU trade following Brexit, study finds
With two European subsidiaries, one of which is in the UK, and a network of long-standing partners across the continent, the U-Freight Group notes a new report from Aston University, which states that the UK’s trade with the EU has fallen following its exit from the bloc, while the Trade and Cooperation Agreement (TCA) has caused “severe disruptions in the UK-EU supply chain.
2024-09-20
News
FIATA comments on enhanced Transatlantic air cargo security
Just over a week ago, we posted some news about the stricter security measures being implemented by the US and Canadian authorities, for air cargo destined for or transiting through Canada and the USA.
2024-09-19
News
Bracing for the e-commerce tsunami
The U-Freight Group, which has a strong presence in the expedited international airfreight business, as well as being an early entrant into the world of e-commerce logistics notes some interesting reports emanating from the recent e-commerce forum held in Liège, Belgium.
2024-09-17
News
DSV agrees to acquire Schenker
DSV has announced its biggest transaction to date after signing an agreement to acquire Schenker from Deutsche Bahn.
2024-09-13
News
Italian partner completes round-trip air transport of motorbike
Euromar, the long-standing partner of the U-Freight Group, came to the rescue when a doctor based in Kuwait wanted to take his motorbike to Europe for a summer tour.
2024-09-12
News
2025 will see container routes and alliances rearranging
Further to yesterday's news item, there is a very interesting and useful article in Maritime Executive magazine, which summarises some of the additional key realignments of the container shipping alliances that are pending for 2025.
2024-09-11
News
MSC signs agreement with Premier Alliance
With our large portfolio of ocean freight forwarding and logistics services, we note that MSC Mediterranean Shipping Company has announced a slot exchange cooperation with the Premier Alliance in Asia composed of HMM, Ocean Network Express (ONE) and Yang Ming.
2024-09-10
News
Stricter security measures for transatlantic air cargo shipments introduced
With our strong presence in the transatlantic airfreight arena, we note that since the end of August both the U.S. Transportation Security Administration (TSA) and Transport Canada have implemented stricter air cargo security measures, affecting Europe and CIS-based shippers. These sudden regulatory shifts have raised significant concerns with freight forwarders prompting a strong response from the representative trade association, CLECAT.
2024-09-09
News
US port talks kick off
A report on the Bloomberg website says that the union representing East and Gulf coast dockworkers kicked off a two-day meeting yesterday in New Jersey to discuss wage demands with port employers under the threat of a strike that would disrupt maritime trade gateways from Houston to Boston.
2024-09-05
News
Chinese ports handle over 190 million teu so far in 2024
With our portfolio of international container shipping services and strong presence in China, we note that an article on the Container News website reports that Chinese ports handled 190.9 million teu from January to July 2024, marking an 8.3% year-on-year increase.
2024-09-04
News
Container shipping schedule reliability falls in July
Schedule reliability data up to July 2024 has been released by Sea-Intelligence in its latest Global Liner Performance (GLP) report.
2024-09-03
News
Shippers urged to make contingency plans as air cargo market could overheat
With our strong presence in the expedited international airfreight business, we were interested in an article on the Air Cargo News website indicating that shippers have been urged to secure space and make contingency plans as the air cargo market is facing capacity shortages out of key Asian markets during the peak season.
2024-09-02
News
Double-digit growth in cargo demand continues in July says IATA
IATA's latest data shows that global air cargo markets continued to soar in July with the latest IATA statistics showing a year-on-year increase of 13.6% on the back of issues on the ocean and the continued e-commerce boom.
2024-08-30
News
Air cargo industry anticipates big peak season to finish year
The U-Freight Group, which has a strong presence in the expedited international airfreight business, and ecommerce logistics, notes a report on the Freightwaves website that indicates that logistics professionals and analysts expect the air cargo market’s remarkably strong first half to build momentum during the final months of the year, when international shipping normally peaks to meet holiday shopping demand, leading to pressure on capacity and higher rates.
2024-08-29
News
Supply Lines: China’s container dominance
Judging by the containers flowing through China’s maritime ports, the world’s export king still reigns despite efforts in the US and Europe to diversify their trading relationships, writes Bloomberg, quoting a recent report from Lloyd’s List.
2024-08-28
News
Shifting routes and early peak reflected port volumes boost
The Container News website reports that the latest port throughput figures reflect the disruption caused by various unexpected events that disrupted supply chains and caused congestion at key terminals around the globe, boosting shipping lines’ income, and making shippers wary of similar crises.
2024-08-27
News
TT Club issues warning over container seals
With our commitment to ensuring the safe and secure transport of the cargoes entrusted to us, the U-Freight Group notes that freight insurance specialist TT Club argues for greater emphasis on the container seal as part of a stronger security culture across the supply chain.
2024-08-23
News
Transit time delays on key global trade routes analysed
Anyone involved in moving cargo on key global trade routes will be interested in the article on the Supply Chain Digital website, in which Nidhi Gupta, CEO at Portcast, examines how transit times across major global trade routes have been affected over the past 12 months.
2024-08-22
News
A global IT outage in July spurred cargo backlog
With our strong presence in the expedited international airfreight business, our attention was drawn to an article on the Supply Chain Dive website, which explains how air cargo demand has not been hindered following a quick recovery from a massive global IT outage in July, which caused more than a week’s worth of flight delays and cancellations, according to a report from Xeneta.
2024-08-21
News
Shippers urged to act now to beat any US East Coast strike delays
Container shipping consultancy Xeneta has advised shippers to act now to avoid any supply chain disruption caused by potential striking dockers on the US East Coast.
2024-08-20
News
World’s largest sailing cargo ship sets sail on pioneering voyage
With our large portfolio of ocean freight forwarding and logistics services, and commitment to environmental issues, we note that Anemos, the world’s largest sailing cargo ship, has set sail on its inaugural voyage from Concarneau, South Brittany.
2024-08-19
News
Container explosion throws spotlight on cargo risk
With our large portfolio of international freight forwarding and logistics services, and commitment to safe transport of cargoes, the U-Freight Group is always conscious of the need for regular and comprehensive risk analysis when deciding whether to accept a proposed cargo booking.
2024-08-13
News
Suez Canal restart won’t solve container shipping turbulence
Speaking on the Freight Buyers' Club podcast, container shipping analyst and consultant, Lars Jensen, said that shippers should expect ongoing volatility in container shipping freight markets through 2025, adding that even if operations resume through the Suez Canal, immediate relief from disruptions and soaring freight rates is not guaranteed.
2024-08-12
News
Another record-breaking month for container shipping demand from China
According to an article on the American Journal of Transport website, ocean container shipping demand from China to North America and North Europe continued to break records in June as importers rushed to protect supply chains amid the global disruption caused by conflict in the Red Sea.
2024-08-09
News
Supply chain disruption: Now Bangladesh
With our large portfolio of international freight forwarding and logistics services, the U-Freight Group notes that the of ongoing geopolitical disruption in Bangladesh is adding to the disruption affecting global supply chains and international trade caused by numerous factors from climate change to IT meltdowns.
2024-08-08
News
US East and Gulf cost ports: Strikes on the horizon?
A dock labour strike that would shut down six out of 10 of the busiest ports in the USA just weeks before the presidential election is looking increasingly likely, according to a report in the American Journal of Transportation, sending jitters across already stressed supply chains, and the U-Freight Group is considering contingency plans should the threat turn into reality.
2024-08-06
News
World Bank deciphers the correlation between disruption and increasing box rates
Writing on the Splash247 website, Sam Chambers reports that the World Bank has produced an index that correlates disruption in container shipping with increases in freight rates.
2024-08-05
News
IATA says data demand for air cargo stays strong
The U-Freight Group, which has a strong presence in the expedited international airfreight business, notes that IATA latest data shows that global air cargo markets are continuing to boom.
2024-07-31
News
Red Sea crisis reaches peak impact on box ships
With our large portfolio of ocean freight forwarding and logistics services, U-Freight Group was interested to read that almost all of the services from the top 10 container lines have diverted via the Cape of Good Hope and escalation of Houthi attacks would have little impact according to maritime analyst Linerlytica.
2024-07-31
News
Have container spot rates peaked?
The Loadstar website ended last week with an interesting article that stated that there was more evidence in container port freight markets that peak prices on the main east-west deep sea trades have passed.
2024-07-29
News
Container ship fleet expands by 11 percent
The news from the Baltic and International Maritime Council (BIMCO) that the capacity of the container ship fleet has increased by 1.6 million teu since the start of 2024 makes interesting reading for the U-Freight Group with our strong presence in the international container shipping market, including LCL and FCL import and export operations around the world.
2024-07-26
Press
UFL Group joins Japan Airlines' Apple Tree Ownership Program for the second year
The UFL Group, which has had a strong historic air cargo collaboration with Japan Airlines, has once again joined its Apple Tree Ownership Program, reaffirming our commitment to supporting sustainable agricultural practices and fostering international relationships.
2024-07-24
News
Seatrade Maritime reports on container shipping market outlook
With our strong presence in the international container shipping market, including LCL and FCL import and export operations around the world, the U-Freight Group read an interesting article on the Seatrade Maritime News website about the current state and future prospects of that market.
2024-07-22
News
Hong Kong airport retains top spot
With our headquarters, as well as several freight and logistics hubs in the city, we read an interesting article in the latest issue of Stat Trade Times that explains how Hong Kong International Airport (HKIA) retained its first position with a three percent increase in cargo handled at over 4.3 million tonnes in 2023.
2024-07-18
News
Braking news !! – FMC slams the brakes on Maersk/Hapag Lloyd Gemini Cooperation
An article published recently on the Shipping and Freight Resource website makes for interesting reading for anyone involved in international container shipping.
2024-07-17
News
gCaptain summarises current state of container shipping
Two articles published recently on the gCaptain website make for interesting reading as they report that global demand for ocean freight container shipping hit an all-time record in May amid soaring spot rates and severe port congestion, according to data released by Xeneta and Container Trades Statistics; whilst US container imports continue to show robust growth over 2023.
2024-07-12
Press
U-Freight takes Cathay Cargo award
U-Freight takes Cathay Cargo award
2024-07-11
News
North America: Threat of port strikes
The threat of port strikes across North America continues to send jitters across already stressed supply chains, reports the Splash247 website, and the U-Freight Group is considering contingency plans should the threats turn into reality, with so many other disruptions to global supply chains at the moment.
2024-07-10
News
UNCTAD sees recovery in global trade
Bloomberg reports that global trade in goods and services is recovering from last year’s slump amid economic strength in the USA and solid exports from Asia’s developing nations.
2024-07-09
News
Air cargo rides e-commerce fast fashion surprise growth in May
The U-Freight Group, which has a strong presence in the expedited international airfreight business, as well as being an early entrant into the world of e-commerce logistics, notes a very interesting article in Air Cargo News magazine, which suggests that e-commerce shipments face rising pressures.
2024-07-08
News
MSC records 20% market share of liner trade capacity
An article published recently on the Loadstar website makes for interesting reading as it reports that MSC now holds a 20% share of the global container shipping market, in terms of capacity offered, a record in the liner industry – and the carrier is just “one big ship delivery away” from the 6m teu milestone, according to new Alphaliner data.
2024-07-04
News
IATA: Air cargo volumes increase again in May
The U-Freight Group, which has a strong presence in the expedited international airfreight business, notes that IATA has reported that the air cargo industry has now chalked up the sixth consecutive month of double-digit year on year growth thanks to trade growth, e-commerce and oceanfreight capacity constraints.
2024-07-03
News
Global schedule reliability improves
With our comprehensive network of international container shipping services, including LCL and FCL import and export operations, the U-Freight Group notes that according to the latest Global Liner Performance report, global container line reliability is on the up, with figures up to and including May, showing an improvement of 3.8 percentage points month-on-month (m-o-m) to 55.8%.
2024-07-03
News
EU and China strengthen Customs Cooperation
In June, following the 11th high-level meeting of the EU-China Joint Customs Cooperation Committee (JCCC) in Shanghai, the EU and China reaffirmed their commitment to actively reinforce the effectiveness of customs controls and enhance fair and legitimate trade between the two trading blocks.
2024-07-02
News
Air cargo peak season vanishes amid e-commerce demand
The U-Freight Group, which has a strong presence in the expedited international airfreight business, as well as being an early entrant into the world of e-commerce logistics notes that there have been many articles in the first half of 2024 about the impact of ecommerce on the air cargo industry, which many say is witnessing a profound transformation.
2024-06-27
News
Container rates to remain high for now
For June 20, Drewry's World Container Index (WCI) for showed a seven percent weekly increase in its composite index to USD5,117 per feu, some 233 percent up on the same week last year, and 260 percent above average pre-pandemic rates of USD1,420 in 2019.
2024-06-26
News
WorldACD: General cargo outpacing special cargo growth in 2024
The U-Freight Group, which has a strong presence in the expedited international airfreight business, as well as being an early entrant into the world of e-commerce logistics, notes that new analysis from WorldACD Market Data has revealed the growth of ‘general cargo’ air freight tonnages is outpacing that of ‘special cargo’ products so far in 2024, reversing a trend in recent years in which demand from air cargo shipments requiring special handling and shipping, has broadly outperformed general cargo.
2024-06-25
News
Global liner fleet volume now over 30 million teu
With a comprehensive network of international container shipping services, including LCL and FCL import and export operations, the U-Freight Group notes that the global liner vessel fleet has reached 30 million teu for the first time in history, according to market analyst, Alphaliner.
2024-06-21
News
List of cargoes that can compromise supply chain safety released
With our commitment to ensuring the safe transport of the cargoes entrusted to us, the U-Freight Group notes that the Cargo Integrity Group, a partnership of industry associations, has compiled a list of the most hazardous cargoes that can compromise supply chain safety.
2024-06-19
News
Ocean carrier update: Steady as she goes
The U-Freight Group, as a provider of international container shipping services, including LCL and FCL import and export operations,, notes a interesting article in Logistics Management magazine that explains why carriers and shippers alike need to keep a close eye on any sudden shifts that could take them off course as carrier executives examine negative earnings reports and contemplate the future impact of changing freight demands and surging freight costs.
2024-06-17
News
Total containers lost at sea hits record low in 2023
The U-Freight Group, as a provider of international container shipping services, including LCL and FCL import and export operations, notes that the World Shipping Council has released its annual report on containers lost at sea, with a total of 221 containers lost out of 250 million transported.
2024-06-14
News
Ocean freight rate pass Red Sea crisis peak; hit levels not seen since Covid-19
The U-Freight Group, as a provider of international container shipping services, including LCL and FCL import and export operations, notes that the latest data released by Renata indicates that ocean freight container shipping spot rates are set to exceed the level seen at the height of the Red Sea crisis as the latest round of increases hit the market at the start of this month.
2024-06-04
News
Air cargo volumes increase by 11 percent in April, says IATA
U-Freight, as a provider of expedited air freight forwarding and logistics services around the world, notes that the latest figures released by IATA show air cargo demand remained robust in April, marking the fifth consecutive month of double-digit year-on-year growth, although growth slowed month on month.
2024-06-03
News
Air cargo benefits from e-commerce fast fashion demand in May
The U-Freight Group, which has a strong presence in the expedited international airfreight business, as well as being an early entrant into the world of e-commerce logistics notes that global air freight volumes didn't subside after China's Lunar New Year holiday in February, as expected, and are still going strong, according to a report on the FreightWaves website.
2024-05-31
News
China-Europe freight train service surpasses 90,000 departures
Having offered various rail freight services between China and Europe since 2014, The U-Freight Group notes a report in Beijing's Global Times that a train, which departed from Xi'an recently, bound for Malaszewicze, Poland, marked a significant milestone as the total number of China-Europe freight train trips surpassed 90,000.
2024-05-29
News
Act now on new EU import declarations
The U-Freight Group notes that global and European trade associations representing shippers, forwarders and vessel operators have issued an urgent alert to all businesses involved in the movement of goods into or via the European Union, Norway, Switzerland or Northern Ireland by sea, road or rail to be ready for the new Import Control System (ICS2), with the next stage due to be introduced in June this year.
2024-05-27
News
Container shipping disruption has limited impact on air cargo
With a strong presence in the expedited international airfreight business, the U-Freight Group notes that the international media and various consultants are reporting that whilst disruption to container shipping operations out of Asia has unexpectedly worsened over recent weeks, the development is expected to have limited impact on air cargo.
2024-05-24
News
Shanghai takes commanding lead in container throughput
With a comprehensive portfolio of international freight forwarding services through most of China’s main gateways, the U-Freight Group notes that according to the Splash 247 website, Shanghai has established an unprecedented 10 million teu lead over its nearest rival in the latest rankings of the top 30 container ports worldwide as compiled by Alphaliner.
2024-05-22
News
Market panic triggers sharp surge in container rates
An article published on today's Container News website has caught our attention as it reports that according to the latest analysis of the shipping consultancy Linerlytica, the market panic over tightening vessel space availability has sent the Shanghai Containerized Freight Index (SCFI) to its highest level since September 2022, rising by 18.8% after last week’s holiday break to hit a 20-month high.
2024-05-14
News
'Nightmare scenario' on Asia-Europe ocean trades?
The U-Freight Group, as a provider of international container shipping services, including LCL and FCL import and export operations, notes a recent article on the Loadstar website, which suggested that both demand and rates are surging at present on the Asia-Europe trades.
2024-05-13
News
IATA: March air cargo volumes up 10%
IATA's latest report on that state of the air cargo sector was very interesting for U-Freight as a provider of expedited air freight forwrarding and logistics services around the world.
2024-05-09
News
Container shipping schedule reliability improves
With a comprehensive network of international container shipping services, including LCL and FCL import and export operations, the U-Freight Group notes that ocean carrier reliability started to improve in March despite the Red Sea crisis, although still not on par with pre-crisis level.
2024-05-08
News
Red Sea detours: No end in sight
The U-Freight Group is committed to helping clients manage this difficult situation facing container shipping at present and mitigate where possible additional costs incurred. Our ocean freight teams will endeavour to keep in close contact with all clients to provide updates on specific movements.
2024-05-03
News
WTO forecasts rebound in global trade
As a provider of international freight and logistics services that underpin international trade, the U-Freight Group notes that World Trade Organisation economists forecast that global goods trade is expected to pick up gradually this year following a contraction in 2023 that was driven by the lingering effects of high energy prices and inflation.
2024-05-02
News
Mixed signals on container freight rates as Red Sea alarm subsides
With our comprehensive portfolio of international container shipping services, the U-Freight Group notes an interesting report on the Seatrade Maritime News website, which shows how various freight rate indices are sending mixed messages, although most of the latest indicators show a steady decline in rates as lines and shippers negotiate annual contracts on the transpacific.
2024-04-26
News
Hong Kong retains crown of world's busiest cargo airport
With our headquarters, as well as several freight and logistics hubs in the city, we note that Hong Kong International Airport (HKIA) has retained its position as the world’s busiest cargo airport, according to data from Airports Council International (ACI) World.
2024-04-17
News
Container line reliability improves
With our comprehensive portfolio of international container shipping services, the U-Freight Group notes that Sea-Intelligence reported an improvement in global schedule reliability for container lines in February 2024; up 1.7 percentage points from January to 53.3%.
2024-04-15
News
Red Sea Crisis: ITF issues report
In the wake of ongoing tensions in the Red Sea, the U-Freight Group notes that the International Transport Forum has published a background paper on the impact of the Red Sea crisis on shipping, supply chains and the environment. The paper also details policy considerations and calls for better cooperation between national authorities to ensure connectivity and transparency of surcharges.
2024-04-10
News
February saw 11.9% rise in air cargo, says IATA
The U-Freight Group, which has a strong presence in the expedited international airfreight business, notes that the latest figures released by IATA show that February was the third consecutive month of double-digit year-on-year demand growth for air cargo.
2024-04-09
News
IATA seeks to put air cargo centre stage
The U-Freight Group, which has a strong presence in the expedited international airfreight business, notes a very interesting interview that Air Cargo Week conducted recently with Willie Walsh, direct general of IATA.
2024-04-05
News
Once Red Sea crisis is resolved, container shipping will face demand-supply challenges
With a comprehensive network of international container shipping services, including LCL and FCL import and export operations, the U-Freight Group notes that Clarksons’ latest container shipping report said that once the Red Sea disruption has been resolved, weak “underlying” supply-demand fundamentals will materialise, leading to the sort of the challenges for container shipping lines that were seen after the Covid-19-fuelled boom.
2024-04-03
News
Air cargo demand growth slows after Chinese New Year
The U-Freight Group, which has a strong presence in the expedited international airfreight business, notes media reports that quoting WorldACD statistics, which show that the strong demand growth over the first two months of the year continue past the Lunar New Year holiday, although at a slightly lower level.
2024-03-27
News
Supply chain disruption in the Red Sea: 100 days later
The U-Freight Group, with our comprehensive network of international container shipping services, including LCL and FCL import and export operations, notes that Sunday, 24 March 2024 marked the 100-day anniversary for what many regard as the start of the Red Sea crisis for international trade.
2024-03-26
Press
U-Freight makes strides at Chengdu Medical Health Expo
Earlier this month, the U-Freight Medical Health Project Team had the privilege of participating in the 30th Chengdu Medical Health Expo held in Chengdu, Sichuan Province. This esteemed medical fair, spanning an expansive exhibition area of 60,000 sq m, drew over 1,200 exhibitors and brands, making it a pivotal event in the industry calendar.
2024-03-25
News
Five percent drop in schedule reliability in January
With a comprehensive network of international container shipping services, including LCL and FL import and export operations, the U-Freight Group notes that Sea-Intelligence is reported to have said that global ocean carrier schedule reliability has continued to decrease, dropping by 5.1 percentage points month on month in January 2024, the same month-on-month drop as in December 2023, to 51.6 per cent, the lowest score since September 2022.
2024-03-22
Press
U-Freight showcases innovations and career opportunities at HKBU Career Fair 2024
On March 5, 2024, U-Freight proudly participated in the esteemed Hong Kong Baptist University (HKBU) Career Fair, hosted by the Office of Student Affairs and Career Centre of HKBU.
2024-03-20
News
Non-alliance lines increase share on Asia-Europe trade
The U-Freight Group notes that the market share of non-alliance liners operating in the Asia-Europe trade lane has doubled in the space of one year, according to a report report on the Splash247 website.
2024-03-14
News
Philippines partner moves up the ranking
The U-Freight Group is pleased to report that our partner in the Philippines has moved up the table of the country's international air freight forwarders according to preliminary data from the Civil Aeronautics Board (CAB).
2024-03-13
News
IATA certifies two Hong Kong terminals
With our headquarters, as well as several freight and logistics hubs in Hong Kong, the U-Freight Group notes that IATA has announced the full certification of Cathay Cargo Terminal and Hong Kong Air Cargo Terminals Limited (HACTL) through the IATA Environmental Assessment (IEnvA) at the World Cargo Symposium, currently being held in Hong Kong (SAR), China.
2024-03-12
Press
U-Freight looks forward to ‘healthy’ logistics partnership with Shanghai Hongyu Supply Chain Management Co
The U-Freight Group (UFL) has signed a strategic cooperation agreement with the Shanghai Hongyu Supply Chain Management Co (HYSC) designed to capitalise on the latter’s extensive expertise in China’s medical and healthcare sector, and UFL’s strength in international freight forwarding and logistics.
2024-03-11
News
18% increase in air cargo demand in January, says IATA
The U-Freight Group, which has a strong presence in the expedited international airfreight business, notes that the latest figures released by IATA show that air cargo demand increased by a “remarkable” 18.4% year on year in January – the second month in a row of double-digit percentage increases.
2024-03-08
News
Air cargo set for another challenging year
The U-Freight Group, which has a strong presence in the expedited international airfreight business, notes that Glyn Hughes, Director General of the International Air Cargo Association (TIACA) said last week at TIACA’s Media Day that the outlook for air cargo is set for another challenging year with geo-political tensions continuing to weigh heavily on global supply chains.
2024-03-05
News
Changing landscape of container shipping alliances
Anyone using international container shipping services would do well to read the following articles about the current shake up in the existing structure of container line alliances.
2024-03-04
News
TIACA survey reveals growing pressure on sustainability in air cargo
As a provider of international freight and logistics services, the U-Freight Group is mindful that a major talking point in the industry is sustainability
2024-02-28
News
Red Sea crisis distorts container shipping market
The Seatrade Maritime website reports that the idle container ship fleet has contracted again as the crises in the Red Sea and Panama Canal suck capacity into service diversions and distort the market, as newbuildings arrive to alleviate the tonnage crunch.
2024-02-23
News
Red Sea update: fleet shortages and port congestion
Today's Financial Times makes interesting reading for the U-Freight Group and anyone using container shipping to manage their international supply chains.
2024-02-21
News
WorldACD Air Cargo reports Lunar New Year surge
The U-Freight Group, which has a strong presence in the expedited international airfreight business, notes that in the final week before the Lunar New Year (LNY) on February 10, air cargo rates from China have experienced a significant surge, as revealed by the latest data from WorldACD Market Data, reports the American Journal of Transportation.
2024-02-20
News
Maersk says Red Sea vessel diversions could extend into second half of 2024
With a comprehensive network of international container shipping services, including LCL and FCL import and export operations, the U-Freight Group notes that A.P. Moller-Maersk, the second-largest global ocean carrier, is advising customers to prepare for a Red Sea crisis that could stretch well into the second half of this year.
2024-02-15
News
IATA to emphasise air cargo's worth at WCS
With our headquarters, as well as several freight and logistics hubs in Hong Kong, we note that the key messages that IATA'S global head of cargo wants to share at the trade body's 2024 World Cargo Symposium (WCS) which will be held here is that "air cargo's success matters" to the global economy.
2024-02-14
News
U-Freight welcomes latest decision on container shipping rules
As a leading provider of ocean freight forwarding services, we welcome the news that the UK’s Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) will not recommend to the Secretary of State for Business and Trade that the current Consortia Block Exemption Regulation (CBER) be replaced by a UK equivalent when it expires on 25 April 2024.
2024-02-13
Press
U-Freight delivers practical insight for logistics students
The U-Freight Group welcomed a group of students studying for a Higher Diploma in Aviation and Logistics at the Hong Kong Institute of Vocational Education to its flagship e+Solutions (ePlus) eCommerce logistics centre in Kwai Chung.
2024-02-07
News
Survey reveals extent of Red Sea modal shift
With no sign of the crisis in the Red Sea abating, a recent survey by Ti Insight caught the U-Freight Group's attention as it revealed the extent to which global shippers are taking steps to avoid delays involved in re-routing ships around the Cape of Good Hope.
2024-02-06
News
2023 final quarter demand drives air cargo higher
The U-Freight Group, which has a strong presence in the expedited international airfreight business, notes that airfreight markets rebounded on the back of growing demand in the fourth quarter of 2023 according to the latest data released by IATA.
2024-02-02
News
Red Sea diversions hit container line schedule reliability
With a comprehensive network of international container shipping services, including LCL and FCL import and export operations, the U-Freight Group notes that Seatrade Maritime News is reporting that whilst 2023 had seen a marked improvement in container line schedule reliability, overall, following the disruption caused to the supply chain during the Covid pandemic, the latest Global Liner Report from analysts Sea-Intelligence showed a 5 percentage points drop in schedule reliability from over 60 percent across some 34 different trades in December 2023.
2024-02-01
News
International Customs Day 2024: Trade celebrates 'vital' role of customs workers
Friday (26 January) was International Customs Day, a day where the world of international trade celebrates the hard work and dedication of customs officials around the world.
2024-01-29
News
Container rate surge slows as Chinese New Year approaches
According to a report on the Seatrade Maritime News website, container rate levels are seeing the expected levelling out prior to Chinese New Year as the initial shock of the Red Sea crisis wanes and new vessels are deployed to meet the challenge of maintaining weekly services.
2024-01-26
News
IATA and ICAO extend cooperation on implementing global standards for dangerous goods shipments by air
As a provider of international freight and logistics services, the U-Freight Group notes that the International Air Transport Association (IATA) and the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) have extended their long-standing cooperation on setting and implementing global standards for the safe carriage of dangerous goods by air.
2024-01-24
News
Maersk and Hapag-Lloyd set up Gemini Cooperation
With our comprehensive portfolio of international container shipping services, the U-Freight Group was interested in this week's news that Hapag-Lloyd and Maersk have shaken up the global liner alliance structures on the main east-west trades, announcing the creation of the Gemini Cooperation from February next year.
2024-01-22
News
Red Sea tensions lead FIATA calls for global monitoring and coordination to facilitate maritime transport
In the wake of mounting tensions in the Red Sea, the U-Freight Group, is pleased to read that global forwarder association, FIATA has released a call to action for strengthened international dialogue and monitoring between governments and industry decision-makers to ensure maritime supply chain fluidity and connectivity amidst surcharges imposed by shipping lines operating on and outside of the Red Sea and Suez Canal, for the protection of consumers and economies worldwide
2024-01-18
News
FMC to hold hearing on impact on shipping of Red Sea crisis
The U-Freight Group, which offers a large portfolio of international container shipping services, and has a strong presence in North America's container trade, notes that the US Federal Maritime Commission (FMC) has announced an informal public hearing focussing the impact of conditions in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden regions on commercial shipping and global supply chains.
2024-01-16
News
BIMCO says record deliveries could push container fleet above 30 million teu in 2024
With our significant portfolio of international ocean freight forwarding services, the U-Freight Group notes that BIMCO's chief shipping analyst, Niels Rasmussen reports that in 2023, shipyards delivered 350 new container ships with a total capacity of 2.2 million teu, beating the previous record from 2015 when 1.7 million teu were delivered; adding that the 2023 record is now likely to be beaten in 2024.
2024-01-15
News
Significant majority of container ships on Suez route now diverted
With our significant portfolio of international ocean freight forwarding services, the U-Freight Group was interested in reports that indicate that the number of container vessels that have re-routed via the Cape of Good Hope due to the Red Sea crisis rose to 354 units as of 7 January, according to the latest Linerlytica report, translating to 4.65 million teu or 16.4% of the global fleet, whilst the Loadstar suggests it could be closing in on 500.
2024-01-11
News
Deja vu in container shipping
With our comprehensive portfolio of international container shipping services, the U-Freight Group was interested by comments made in an article on the Loadstar website about spiralling container shipping rates, with one person suggesting that the shipping lines are using sledgehammer tactics.
2024-01-10
News
Air cargo demand up 8.3% in November
Data released for November 2023 global air cargo markets by IATA brings welcome news for the U-Freight Group and our expedited international airfreight services, as it indicates the strongest year-on-year growth in roughly two years.
2024-01-10
News
Shanghai retains crown as world’s busiest container port last year
With a comprehensive portfolio of international freight forwardingservices through most of China’s main gateways, the U-Freight Groupnotes that according to Seatrade Maritime News, Shanghai maintained itsposition as the world’s busiest container port in 2023 with a 3.6%increase in volumes.
2024-01-08
Press
U-Freight takes Cathay Cargo awards
The U-Freight Group has received a number ‘Top Agent Awards’ from Cathay Cargo in recognition of the air cargo revenue that it produced for the airline in 2022.
2024-01-05
Press
U-Freight showcases the potential of its ePlus (e+Solutions) brand
The U-Freight Group used the recent Asian Logistics, Maritime and Aviation Conference 2023 to showcase the services offered by its e+ Solutions (ePlus) brand.
2024-01-04
News
December demand and rates boost adds optimism for airfreight
The U-Freight Group, which has a strong presence in the expedited international airfreight business, is encouraged by the news that a leading freight rates benchmarking service believes that recent market developments may herald the start of a new economic growth cycle for the global air cargo industry after last year ended with a +9% year-on-year rise in demand and the general air cargo spot rate reached its highest level in nine months.
2024-01-04
News
Maersk halts Red Sea shipping until further notice
With our comprehensive portfolio of international container shipping services, including LCL and FCL import and export operations, the U-Freight Group notes that CNBC is reporting that Maersk has paused shipping through the Red Sea until further notice after one of its vessels came under attack from Houthi militants over the weekend.
2024-01-03
News
Top ocean shipping stories of 2023: War, drought and detours
Freightwaves' Greg Miller has written an excellent summary about the ocean shipping sector in 2023, and with our comprehensive network of international container shipping services, including LCL and FCL import and export operations, the U-Freight Group concurs with Greg's conclusion that this year has been one in which shipping, and the freight forwarders that rely on it, had to repeatedly change course.
2023-12-28
News
Spiralling ocean freight shipping rates become a reality
The U-Freight Group's ocean freight teams around the world are seeing the predicted increases in container shipping costs stemming from the crisis in the Red Sea region become real as shipping lines are desperately trying to recoup the cost of sending vessels from the Far East to the Mediterranean, North Europe and US East Coast via the Cape of Good Hope rather than heading through the Suez Canal.
2023-12-28
News
Air cargo market: From ‘doom mongering’ to stability
The U-Freight Group, with our strong presence in the expedited international airfreight business, notes an interesting article on the Freightwaves website that indicates that whilst demand in the airfreight sector is still fragile, recovery is expected to strengthen in 2024.
2023-12-22
News
Update: Red Sea shipping issues
With a comprehensive network of international container shipping services, including LCL and FCL import and export operations, the U-Freight Group reports that all major shipping lines have now taken the decision to re-route vessels via the Cape of Good Hope instead of traversing the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden, impacting routes passing through the Suez Canal, due to the current security risk prompted by recent Houthi rebel attacks.
2023-12-22
News
Container shipping hit by Suez and Panama diversions
With a comprehensive network of international container shipping services, including LCL and FCL import and export operations, the U-Freight Group is ever mindful of the effects on container shipping schedules that Panama Canal draught restrictions on one side of the world and Yemen-based Houthi rebels attacking shipping transiting the Red Sea enroute to the Suez Canal on the other side, are having.
2023-12-19
News
Container lines rolling out ancillary fees
With our comprehensive portfolio of international container shipping services, the U-Freight Group is keeping a close watch on new surcharges being applied by container shipping lines, which are experiencing container spot rates below ocean carrier unit operating costs on some routes, and are now looking to boost revenue in other ways.
2023-12-11
News
Air cargo spot rates and demand perk up in October
The U-Freight Group, which has a strong presence in the expedited international airfreight business, notes that air cargo rates saw a month-over-month (MOM) increase in October to USD2.28 per kg, according to Xeneta's Clive Data Services.
2023-12-07
News
EU ETS carbon emissions regulations: some thoughts
As a provider of international container shipping services, the U-Freight Group is mindful that a major talking point in ocean freight shipping is the forthcoming introduction of EU ETS carbon emissions regulations in 2024.
2023-12-04
News
Drewry charts a course to an old normal in freight rates
With a comprehensive network of international container shipping services, including LCL and FCL import and export operations, the U-Freight Group notes that something like the old normal in terms of freight rate fluctuation has returned to Drewry's World Container Index throughout November, the maritime consultancy reports.
2023-11-30
News
Shipping lines to implement Panama Canal surcharges
Draught and transit restrictions on the Panama Canal are resulting in carriers’ introducing surcharges, which could impact on the international container shipping services, including LCL and FCL import and export operations, provided by the U-Freight Group.
2023-11-29
News
Will 2024 see a return of classic seasonality in airfreight?
The U-Freight Group, which has a strong presence in the expedited international airfreight business, notes a report on the Air Cargo Week website that suggests that whilst the air freight market has been on a rollercoaster ride of late, 2024 could see a return of ‘classic seasonality’.
2023-11-28
News
IMF upgrades projections for China's economic growth
With our comprehensive network of multimodal freight and logistics services for the Chinese market, and numerous logistics hubs across the country, the U-Freight Group notes media reports that the International Monetary Fund has upgraded its projections for China's annual economic growth this year and next as the nation recorded a stronger-than-expected performance in the third quarter and Beijing rolled out policies to support the recovery.
2023-11-27
News
October see more air traffic growth for Hong Kong
With our headquarters, as well as several freight and logistics hubs in the city, we note that Airport Authority Hong Kong (AAHK) has released air traffic figures for Hong Kong International Airport (HKIA) for October 2023.
2023-11-23
News
Volcanoes, weather, and wars put pressure on air freight capacity
The U-Freight Group, which has a strong presence in the expedited international airfreight business, notes that mother nature appears to be helping to push up airfreight rates with the latest figures from the TAC Index showing that the overall Baltic Air Freight Index was up 4.6% in the week to November 20 compared with the previous seven days.
2023-11-22
News
Drewry updates on cancelled sailings
According to media reports, Drewry, the independent maritime research consultancy, says that across the major East-West headhaul container trades: Transpacific, Transatlantic and Asia-North Europe & Mediterranean - 53 cancelled sailings have been announced between weeks 46 (13 Nov-19 Nov) and week 50 (11 Dec-17 Dec), out of a total of 650 scheduled sailings, representing an 8% cancellation rate. During this period, 42% of the blank sailings will occur on the Transpacific Eastbound, 42% on Asia-North Europe and Med, and 17% on the Transatlantic Westbound trade.
2023-11-15
News
Reality of production nearshoring questioned
Over the last few years, there has been considerable focus on the concept of nearshoring, where production is brought closer to the consumers, and the U-Freight Group has been considering how this might impact on the global supply chains that we manage for our clients.
2023-11-14
News
Air cargo demand was sub-seasonal in October
The U-Freight Group, with our portfolio of expedited international airfreight services, notes that according to Xeneta’s latest weekly market analysis, global air cargo volumes and spot rates edged up marginally in October, but overall demand remained muted, diminishing hope of a traditional year-end revenue boost for airlines and freight forwarders.
2023-11-09
News
Consultant says idle box ship fleet hits million teu
With a comprehensive network of international container shipping services, including LCL and FCL import and export operations, the U-Freight Group notes that container shipping consultancy, Alphaliner reports the inactive containership fleet has once again surpassed one million teu.
2023-11-08
News
Analysts paint bleak picture on container shipping future
A recent report on the Seatrade Maritime News website will be interesting for anyone, like the U-Freight Group, that is involved in the international container shipping supply chain.
2023-11-06
News
Schedule reliability improves, Maersk and Hamburg Süd top rankings
With a comprehensive network of international container shipping services, including LCL and FCL import and export operations, the U-Freight Group notes that according to analysis by Sea-Intelligence, conducted in September 2023, global container service schedule reliability rose by 1.2% points month on month to 64.4%.
2023-11-03
News
Boom time for the businesses that keep airlines flying
As a provider of supply chain management services to manufacturers, operators and vendors involved in the global aviation and aerospace industry, the U-Freight Group was interested by a report in the Financial Times indicating that business is booming for companies that help to keep airlines flying.
2023-11-02
News
Could containership overcapacity last to 2030 or beyond?
With our comprehensive portfolio of international container shipping services, the U-Freight Group notes that new analysis from Sea-Intelligence forecasts that container shipping segment could be beginning a much longer and more challenging period.
2023-11-01
News
Growth in eCommerce is driving increased visibility into supply chains
According to the "Freight Management Systems - Global Strategic Business Report" that has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering, the global freight management systems market, valued at USD 10.8 billion in 2022, is projected to reach USD 19 billion by 2030, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 7.4% during the forecast period from 2022 to 2030.
2023-10-31
News
India set to overtake Japan as world’s third-largest economy
With our presence in the freight forwarding trades between India and the world through our long standing agent, Sahil Freight, we were interested to read that the South Asia nation, currently the world’s fifth-largest economy, is on track to potentially surpass Japan and claim the title of the third-largest global economy by 2030, according to the latest report from S&P Global Market Intelligence.
2023-10-26
News
Xeneta Update: Stormy 2024 forecast as shipping lines set sights on freight rate increases
Oslo-based consultancy, Xeneta has carried out in-depth analysis of the latest ocean freight rates and branded the current market as unsustainable, which makes interesting reading for the U-Freight Group, with our comprehensive portfolio of international container shipping services.
2023-10-24
News
Alphaliner reports inactive containership fleet surpasses one million teu
With our comprehensive portfolio of international container shipping services, the U-Freight Group notes that according to latest survey by maritime consultancy, Alphaliner, the global fleet of inactive containerships has experienced significant growth in recent weeks, with a rise in both the number of commercially idled vessels and ships entering repair yards.
2023-10-20
News
China's cargo and box volume at ports up in first eight months
With our HQ in Hong Kong and our strong office network and portfolio of multimodal freight and logistics services serving the Chinese market, the U-Freight Group notes reports that China's cargo and container throughput at ports registered steady expansion during the first eight months of this year, according to official data.
2023-10-17
News
No solution to overcapacity in container shipping
With our comprehensive portfolio of international container shipping services, the U-Freight Group was interested in comments made by Stefan Verberckmoes, senior analyst at Alphaliner, in a keynote address delivered at the Intermodal Europe 2023 show being held in Amsterdam this week.
2023-10-16
News
Container shipping lines to implement carbon emission surcharges in 2024
Shipping lines are providing guidance on preliminary carbon pricing as European legislation aimed to reach carbon neutrality by 2050 fast approaches and that is interesting news for the U-Freight Group, with our comprehensive portfolio of international container shipping services.
2023-10-14
News
Container shipping faces period of uncertainty with loss of EU antitrust protection
With our comprehensive portfolio of international container shipping services, the U-Freight Group suspects that shipping companies are now watching carefully to see if the Federal Maritime Commission (FMC) in Washington DC will follow the lead taken by the European Commission when it comes to container shipping and antitrust rules.
2023-10-12
News
First annual growth in year-on-year air cargo demand since February 2022
Data released for August 2023 global air cargo markets by IATA shows that year-on-year air cargo demand grew for the first time in 19 months, which is welcome news for the U-Freight Group and our expedited international airfreight services.
2023-10-05
Press
U-Freight expands robot fleet in its Hong Kong eCommerce fulfilment centre
Work has been completed to expand the autonomous mobile robot (AMR) and intelligent racking system that was installed two years ago in one of the five freight hubs operated by U-Freight Logistics in Hong Kong.
2023-10-04
News
Container freight rates to hit 2016 levels
With our comprehensive portfolio of international container shipping services, the U-Freight Group notes a report in Seatrade Maritime News that overcapacity and stalling demand are driving container shipping rates to new lows, according to the latest Market Pulse report by Linerlytica.
2023-10-03
News
2023 sees containerships moving at slowest speeds on record
With our comprehensive portfolio of international container shipping services, the U-Freight Group notes that according to Clarksons Research, ships in the containership sector have travelled at record slow speeds this year.
2023-10-03
News
October set to witness more trans-Pacific container shipping service cuts
With our comprehensive portfolio of international container shipping services, the U-Freight Group notes that container shipping lines plan to cut 59 sailings in the trans-Pacific from mid-September through October, according to maritime consultancy Drewry.
2023-09-26
News
Air cargo tonnages and rates on the rise
The U-Freight Group offers a number of expedited international airfreight services, and notes an interesting article in the latest issue of Air Cargo Week that provides a round up of global air cargo tonnages, which showed a positive development in the second full week of September, after stabilising at the beginning of the month, with average rates also on an upward trend, according to the latest figures from WorldACD Market Data.
2023-09-25
News
Over seven million teu moved by China-Europe trains in past decade
Having offered various rail freight services between China and Europe since 2014, The U-Freight Group notes that statistics released by the China's National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) show that over the past decade a staggering 77,000 China-Europe freight trains have been in operation.
2023-09-19
News
Dramatic decrease in capacity over Golden Week
We note a report by consultant, Sea-Intelligence that with the upcoming Golden Week holiday in Asia in early October 2034, as factories close, and container demand to and from Asia declines, shipping lines are responding by blanking sailings to match supply with the lower demand.
2023-09-18
News
Supply races ahead of demand in container shipping
With our comprehensive portfolio of international container shipping services, the U-Freight Group notes that a perfect storm of newbuild containership deliveries, weakening demand and a dearth of scrapping candidates is throwing the supply/demand balance hugely out of kilter.
2023-09-14
News
Hong Kong: Asia's global gateway grows
With our headquarters, as well as several freight and logistics hubs in the city, we read an interesting article in the latest issue of Air Cargo Week that explains how Hong Kong International Airport (HKIA) is continuing to solidify its position as the world’s busiest air cargo hub.
2023-09-13
News
Air cargo declines continue to narrow in July
With a strong presence in global airfreight markets, the U-Freight Group notes that the latest figures released by IATA for July 2023 show that declines in air cargo volumes narrowed to their lowest level of the year so far ias the market continued to show signs of bottoming out.
2023-09-08
News
China’s largest export market is now much closer to home
With our HQ in Hong Kong and our strong office network and portfolio of multiimodal freight and logistics services across South East Asia, the U-Freight Group is intrigued by the news item on the Bloomberg website that China’s largest export market is no longer the USA and Europe, which have been overtaken by Southeast Asia.
2023-09-07
News
Container lines see earnings plunge
U-Freight, with our portfolio of international container shipping services, notes that after two very profitable years for container shipping lines, the market is shifting into a post-pandemic normality, as reported by Sea-Intelligence.
2023-09-06
News
US west coast dockworkers approve new six-year contract
Yesterday brought the news that dockworkers on the US West Coast have voted in favour of ratifying a contract agreement made between employment association Pacific Maritime Association (PMA) and the International Longshore and Warehouse Union (ILWU), bringing to a close a period of significant industrial unrest.
2023-09-04
Press
U-Freight celebrates legacy and cooperative growth at 55th anniversary
Trust and loyalty have always been key to the U-Freight Group’s success since its establishment in 1968, and remain so as it looks forward to celebrating its 55th birthday this week with its first global sales conference since the Covid-19 pandemic struck.
2023-09-04
News
Two thirds of container ships are on schedule
As a provider of international container shipping services, the U-Freight Group notes For the sixth consecutive month, container shipping schedule reliability has been above 60 percent nearing levels not seen since 2020. After a low when only one-in-three ships were on schedule, the sector has rebounded although it plateaued with an average of just under 64 percent monthly schedule reliability since February 2023.
2023-09-04
News
Panama Canal delays have shippers mulling freight diversions
The U-Freight Group has a significant presence in the delivery of FCL and LCL oceanfreight services around the globe and notes that shippers may need to look for alternative routes to avoid potential cargo delays as disruption threats compound in the Panama Canal, according to a report on the Supply Chain Dive website.
2023-08-25
News
Alphaliner says blanked sailings are part of normal shipping business life
In its latest weekly report, Alphaliner says blanked sailings have become "part of normal shipping business life" on key east-west container trade lanes; in which the U-Freight group is an active participant offering a comprehensive portfolio of FCL and LCL shipping services.
2023-08-22
News
Soaring containership deliveries to push fleet growth says BIMCO
With our comprehensive portfolio of international container shipping services, the U-Freight Group notes that deliveries of new container ships during the first seven months of the year reached a new record high of 1.2 million teu in 2023, beating the previous record by 0.2 million teu.
2023-08-15
News
Record number of containerships delivered in June ... more than one per day
As a provider of international container shipping services, the U-Freight Group, notes that analysis by data specialist, Xeneta, reveals that 40 container ships joined the global fleet in June increasing overall capacity by 300,000 teu, adding that 990,000 teu of capacity was delivered in the first half of the year, with a similar volume expected between now and the end of 2023.
2023-08-11
News
China-Europe freight trains total 10,000 trips so far this year
With increasing volumes of cargo being experienced on our LCL and FCL rail freight services between China and Europe, the U-Freight Group notes that freight trains have made 10,000 trips between the two areas, achieving this milestone 22 days earlier than the previous year, according to a report in Beijing's Global Times.
2023-08-10
News
Air cargo contraction eases in June
With a strong presence in the airfreight market, the U-Freight Group notes that IATA released data for June 2023 global air cargo markets showing the smallest year-over-year contraction in demand since February 2022.
2023-08-08
News
Box rates on the transpacific soar amid strict capacity discipline
As a provider of international container shipping services, the U-Freight Group notes a report on the Splash247 website that says that barring the pandemic bonanza years, box rates on the transpacific are soaring to highs not seen since 2012 for this time of year, a testament to carriers’ tight capacity discipline amid what some are labelling as a disappointing peak season.
2023-08-01
News
New guidelines to boost air cargo security
U-Freight has a significant presence in the delivery of expedited airfreight services around the globe and notes that the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) and the World Customs Organization (WCO) have issued new guidance to help the air cargo industry manage air cargo security threats.
2023-07-31
News
Mixed results for Hong Kong international airport
With our headquarters, as well as several freight and logistics hubs in the city, we note that in June cargo throughput at Hong Kong International Airport bounced back from the previous month, according to the figures released by the airport authority.
2023-07-30
News
Shanghai international trade exceeds USD280 billion in first half of 2023
With a comprehensive portfolio of international freight forwarding services through most of China’s main gateways, the U-Freight Group notes that according to Seatrade Maritime News, Shanghai's total import and export value hit RMB2.09 trillion (USD280 billion) in the first half of 2023, an increase of 11.4% year-on-year, marking a new high.
2023-07-26
News
Global air cargo tonnages in June show improving trend
With a broad portfolio of international airfreight services, the U-Freight Group notes a report by Bahrain's TradeArabia that in June air cargo tonnages showed a year-on-year improvement, with a decrease of four per cent compared to the previous year, which was better than the six per cent decline observed in May.
2023-07-19
News
Average demurrage and detention charges witness a 25% dip globally in 2023
With a comprehensive network of international container shipping services, including LCL and FCL import and export operations, the U-Freight Group notes average Demurrage and Detention charges experience a year-on-year decline of 25% in 2023, with a significant 14% decrease compared to the rates in 2020, as found by Container xChange’s annual Demurrage and Detention Charges benchmark report 2023.
2023-07-12
News
Smart container fleet to expand 6-fold over the next five years
As a provider of international container shipping services, the U-Freight Group, notes that one of the main conclusions from Drewry’s recently published Container Census & Leasing Annual Review & Forecast 2023/24 report is that the global telematics enabled container equipment fleet is forecast to grow 6-fold over the next 5 years and account for 30% of global box inventories by 2027, driven by wider adoption across the dry container fleet.
2023-07-11
News
2023 peak season set to be subdued
With a comprehensive network of international container shipping services, including LCL and FCL import and export operations, the U-Freight Group notes reports that US containerized imports are showing signs of stabilizing, if not yet showing a significant rally, as supply chain trends return to some semblance of new normal following the dramatic two-year, pandemic-driven surge in imports and consumer demand.
2023-07-06
News
Schedule reliability reaches three-year high
With a comprehensive network of international container shipping services, including LCL and FCL import and export operations, the U-Freight Group notes that schedule reliability for the global container shipping industry continues its rebound from the depths of the delays in 2021 and 2022 to reach a nearly three-year high in May 2023.
2023-07-05
News
Trading conditions for air cargo continue to be challenging
Despite the news from IATA that global air cargo markets showed weak market conditions in May 2023, the U-Freight group continues to maintain a strong presence in the airfreight market with an array of expedited import and export services.
2023-07-05
News
Container shipping is now “maxed out” claims leading shipping analyst
As a provider of international container shipping services, the U-Freight Group, notes that a report on the Freight Buyers Club website suggests that with record deliveries of container ships expected this year and next, most analysts have predicted further heavy downside pressure on container shipping freight rates to be offset by carrier efforts to reduce capacity by slow steaming and lay ups or, alternatively, by a self-destructive scramble for market share.
2023-07-03
News
Celebrating National Logistics Day
Today is National Logistics Day, an occasion to celebrate the remarkable achievements of the logistics industry.
2023-06-28
News
Container export dwell time at Chinese ports falls
With a comprehensive portfolio of international ocean freight forwarding services through most of China’s main container shipping gateways, the U-Freight Group notes that reports based on data provided by FourKites, the duration of ocean dwell times, which refers to the time between gate times and vessel departure/arrival, has remained consistent for China's exports at 4.8 days since March.
2023-06-27
News
Container line reliability keeps improving, but at slower rate
With a comprehensive network of international container shipping services, including LCL and FCL import and export operations, the U-Freight Group notes that ocean carrier reliability improved 1.7% in April to 64.2%, up 29.9% YoY, according to Sea-Intelligence’s Global Liner Performance report.
2023-06-26
News
Potential good news for shippers on US West Coast
The news that after more than a year of protracted talks and amid a recent spate of coast wide disruption, leaders from the PMA and the ILWU have reached a long-awaited tentative agreement for a new US west coast labour contract is good news for importers and exporters, as well as companies like U-Freight, which moves their container shipments through US West Coast ports via a comprehensive network of international container shipping services on the transpacific, including LCL and FCL import and export operations.
2023-06-16
News
AfA urges shippers to prepare for new security rules
With a strong presence in the airfreight market, the U-Freight Group notes that Airforwarders Association (AfA) Executive Director Brandon Fried has urged shippers to prepare for U.S.air cargo security enhancements, which come into force in October affecting certain types of freight on international all-cargo flights.
2023-06-13
News
US West Coast vessel queue worries as port labour battles heat up
With a comprehensive network of international container shipping services on the transpacific, including LCL and FCL import and export operations, the U-Freight Group notes that there are many media reports expressing growing concern over a potential back-up of vessels on the US West Coast as labour continues its slowdown at cargo terminals represented by the Pacific Maritime Association (PMA).
2023-06-09
News
Airline profitability outlook strengthens
With a strong presence in the airfreight market, the U-Freight Group notes that IATA has announced an expected strengthening of airline industry profitability in an upgrade of its outlook for 2023.
2023-06-07
News
Analyst says there is no clear link between slow-steaming and schedule reliability
With a comprehensive network of international container shipping services, including LCL and FCL import and export operations, the U-Freight Group notes that Lars Jensen, CEO & Partner, Vespucci Maritime, writing in the Journal of Commerce, states there is no clear link between slower sailing of container shipping services and any improvement in schedule reliability.
2023-06-05
News
Box ships on a ‘go-slow’ to absorb surplus capacity
With a comprehensive network of international container shipping services, including LCL and FCL import and export operations, the U-Freight Group notes media reports, which indicate that market pressure and running costs are prompting ocean carriers to resort to one of the oldest tricks in the liner manual – slow steaming.
2023-05-30
News
FIATA launches latest edition of dangerous goods brochure
As a provider of international freight and logistics services, the U-Freight Group, notes that FIATA has released the highly anticipated ‘Introduction to the regulations for the safe handling and transport of dangerous goods (3rd Edition)’, designed to equip freight forwarders with essential knowledge and guidelines for the safe transportation of dangerous goods.
2023-05-28
News
Bright fourth quarter predicted for air cargo market
With an array of expedited import and export services serving the international airfreight market, the U-Freight Group is pleased to read that the air cargo industry should expect a strong fourth quarter peak season despite lower first quarter volumes as airlines respond to surging passenger demand, according to Brandon Fried, Executive Director, Airforwarders Association(AfA).
2023-05-25
News
Containers lost at sea report issued
With a comprehensive network of international container shipping services, including LCL and FCL import and export operations, the U-Freight Group notes that the World Shipping Council (WSC) has released its annual report on containers lost at sea, revealing positive developments in container safety within the international liner shipping industry. The report covers the year 2022, showing that 661 containers were lost overboard during the year.
2023-05-24
News
China-Europe freight train services expand in first 4 months
According to China's State Council Information Office, China-Europe freight train services saw solid growth from January to April this year, with the transport capacity and efficiency continuously rising.
2023-05-23
News
Deploying extra containerships on a liner service does not automatically mean more slots for shippers
With a comprehensive network of international container shipping services, including LCL and FCL import and export operations, the U-Freight Group notes that Drewry has been vocal about the weight of the containership orderbook that is tipping the balance of the market out of carriers’ favour. But we have also been very clear that we expect carriers to take steps to mitigate this process.
2023-05-22
News
China retains crown as the world’s largest logistics market
With a strong presence and a network of offices and logistics hubs across China, delivering global freight services across all modes, the U-Freight Group notes that an article on the Logistics Middle East website that the country has maintained its position as the world’s largest logistics market for the seventh consecutive year, according to a report by the China Federation of Logistics and Purchasing.
2023-05-17
News
Sea-Intelligence says reliability rises close to pre-pandemic levels
With a comprehensive network of international container shipping services, including LCL and FCL import and export operations, the U-Freight Group notes a report by maritime consultancy Sea-Intelligence of noticeable improvements across all metrics of schedule reliability and average delay on a global, carrier, carrier alliance, and trade lane level in the first quarter of 2023.
2023-05-16
News
Container lines improve schedule reliability, again
The U-Freight Group has a comprehensive portfolio of LCL and FCL container shipping services around the world and was pleased to hear the news from maritime consultancy Sea-Intelligence that March 2023 saw a further month-to-month gain in global schedule reliability, this time by 2.4 percentage points, reaching 62.6% and bringing it close to the 2020 result for the same month, while schedule reliability increased by a startling 26.8% points year-over-year.
2023-05-10
News
Air cargo demand falls back below pre-Covid levels in March
With a strong presence in the airfreight market, the U-Freight Group notes that air cargo demand slipped back below pre-Covid levels in March after a volatile first quarter, according to the latest market data from IATA.
2023-05-08
News
Container shipping optimism may be misplaced
The leading container shipping consultancy, Drewry, stated that it thinks that demand is not going to be sufficient to offset the capacity surge in the container shipping industry, and leaves it unconvinced that freight rates have bottomed out.
2023-05-03
News
Evergreen lines up multi-billion dollar containership orders
With a comprehensive network of international container shipping services, including LCL and FCL import and export operations, the U-Freight Group (UFL) notes that significant containership orders show no signs of easing, despite the recent slide in earnings for global liner companies.
2023-05-02
News
Shanghai moves 10,000 teu of goods by China-Europe freight trains
With increasing volumes of cargo being experienced on our LCL and FCL rail freight services between China and Europe, the U-Freight Group notes a report in the Hong Kong Shipping Gazette, which states that a milestone was reached recently when a China-Europe freight train departed from Shanghai loaded with 55 containers of cargo - making it the 100th train to depart on the route since the Chinese metropolis launched its China-Europe freight train service in September 2021.
2023-04-27
News
Calls for stronger data governance in supply chains
As an international freight forwarding and logistics service provider for over 50 years, the U-Freight Group notes that organisations representing shippers and forwarders are calling for improved standards of data protection and confidentiality in digital trading and booking systems.
2023-04-24
News
Cuts in shipping costs in 2023 show the way ahead
The U-Freight Group has a comprehensive portfolio of LCL and FCL container shipping services around the world and notes a prediction by Dreary Maritime Research that shippers in the transpacific and Asia-Europe trades can look forward to 55 to 85 percent reductions in shipping costs in 2023 compared to last year.
2023-04-19
News
Global air cargo demand stabilises with rates holding firm
With a strong presence in the global airfreight market, and an array of expedited import and export services, the U-Freight Group notes that preliminary WorldACD figures for March indicate air cargo demand and pricing may be stabilising, with rates holding firm and year-on-year tonnages down just eight per cent, reports Bahrain's TradeArabia.
2023-04-18
News
China’s logistics sector sees steady growth in March
With a strong presence and a network of offices and logistics hubs across China, the U-Freight Group notes that the logistics market index, which measures the performance of the country’s logistics market, rose by 5.4% from February, reaching 55.5% in March 2023, according to the China Federation of Logistics and Purchasing, continuing the market’s steady growth.
2023-04-14
News
Container Shipping Outlook: The Asia-Europe Trade
We note that the Journal of Commerce reports that uncertainty over space on the Asia-Europe trade in 2022 has given way to uncertainty about demand in 2023, with those involved in the European import markets divided over when an expected inventory recovery will occur.
2023-04-13
News
Hong Kong retains top cargo airport spot amid declining global volumes
ACI World’s latest report used preliminary data to name the 10 busiest cargo airports for 2022, which welcomes back some of the world’s largest airport hubs as international traffic returns, marking an important milestone in air travel’s full recovery from the impact of the pandemic.
2023-04-12
News
February demand for air cargo surpasses pre-pandemic levels, says IATA
With a strong presence in the airfreight market, the U-Freight Group notes that IATA's latest report indicates that the global demand for air cargo in February surpassed pre-pandemic levels for the first time in eight months.
2023-04-11
News
February demand for air cargo surpasses pre-pandemic levels, says IATA
With a strong presence in the airfreight market, the U-Freight Group notes that IATA's latest report indicates that the global demand for air cargo in February surpassed pre-pandemic levels for the first time in eight months.
2023-04-06
News
Container lines improve schedule reliability
The U-Freight Group has a comprehensive portfolio of LCL and FCL container shipping services around the world and is heartened by the news from maritime consultancy Sea-Intelligence that global schedule reliability in February 2023 reached 60.2% - an increase by 7.7 percentage points month-on-month.
2023-04-06
News
Container shipping predicted to remain profitable despite downturn
As a provider of international container shipping services, the U-Freight Group, notes an article on the G-Captain website that predicts that the container shipping industry will remain profitable.
2023-04-05
News
China’s first cargo-focused airport launches international flights
With a strong presence With a strong presence in the airfreight market, as well as a network of offices and logistics hubs across China, the U-Freight Group notes the international and trade media have reported that China’s first cargo-focused airport has launched its inaugural international route with a Belgium-bound flight.
2023-04-04
News
New FMC rule expands shippers’ eligibility for carrier refunds
With our comprehensive portfolio of international container shipping services, and strong presence in the US market
2023-03-31
News
Container line profits beat all records
The U-Freight Group has offered LCL and FCL container shipping services
2023-03-29
News
Bearish demand hits container prices and leasing rates
With our comprehensive portfolio of international container shipping services, the U-Freight Group notes that excess containers stranded across Europe are causing congestion bottlenecks and space shortages at ports, warehouses, and storage yards, according to the March edition of the Europe Container Market Forecaster, published by Container xChange.
2023-03-28
News
Era of big box ships begins
As a provider of international container shipping services, the U-Freight Group, notes an article on the Maritime Executive website that provides a good summary of the current container shipping market.
2023-03-27
News
Container ship calls are falling in the USA
The number of container ships in US coastal waters has fallen to less than half of the count a year earlier, in the latest ominous sign of slowing global trade, says Bloomberg.
2023-03-16
News
MSC takes delivery of world’s largest container ship
As a provider of international container shipping services, the U-Freight Group, notes that Shanghai-based Hudong-Zhonghua Shipbuilding (Group) has built and delivered the largest container ship in the world to Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC).
2023-03-14
News
Ocean carriers will use multiple tools to cut slot supply
With a comprehensive portfolio of ocean freight forwarding services around the globe, the U-Freight Group notes that according to the former chairman of two of the world’s leading carriers, container lines will counter excess capacity and slow demand growth by deploying multi-faceted strategies to reduce slot supply.
2023-03-10
News
Air cargo capacity rose above pre-pandemic level in February
With a strong presence in the airfreight market, the U-Freight Group notes that according to the latest weekly market analysis from CLIVE Data Services, part of Xeneta, global air cargo volumes fell -4% year-on-year in February as available cargo capacity rose above the pre-pandemic level for the first time in four years.
2023-03-07
News
Global e-commerce logistics expected to grow by 7.9% in 2023
As an international freight services provider with a significant commitment to e-commerce logistics, U-Freight notes that the global e-commerce logistics market shrank by 5% in 2022 but is expected to moderate and grow by 7.9% in 2023, according to market research consultancy Ti Insight.
2023-03-06
News
FIATA calls for reasonable free time for container use
This week saw the International Federation of Freight Forwarders Associations (FIATA) urging shipping lines to review and reinstate the current free time periods back to no less than feasible, pre-pandemic levels.
2023-03-02
News
Major container lines commit to 100% electronic Bills of Lading by 2030
As a company that has always been focused on capitalising on technological innovation, U-Freight notes that the Digital Container Shipping Association (DCSA) has announced that its nine ocean carrier members have committed to the adoption of an electronic bill of lading (eBL).
2023-02-18
News
Container shipping schedule reliability improves at slower rate
With our comprehensive portfolio of ocean freight forwarding services around the globe, the U-Freight Group (UFL) notes that in its latest update, Sea-Intelligence reports that schedule reliability in December 2022 improved slightly by 0.1 percentage points to 56.6 per cent compared to the previous month.
2023-02-17
News
Drewry’s World Container Index sinks below USD2,000
With our comprehensive portfolio of ocean freight forwarding services around the globe, the U-Freight Group (UFL) notes that Drewry’s World Container Index has fallen below USD2,000 for first time since July 2020, post the first set of quotes reported in the aftermath of the Chinese New Year.
2023-02-15
News
Inactive container ship numbers on the rise
With our comprehensive portfolio of ocean freight forwarding services around the globe, the U-Freight Group (UFL) notes that almost 6% of the global container ship fleet is now idle, up from just under 5% a week ago, according to Alphaliner.
2023-02-13
Press
U-Freight gains recognition for e-commerce logistics product
e+ Solutions (ePlus), a comprehensive logistics package designed specifically for owners of small start-up e-commerce businesses, has gained official recognition from the Hong Kong Brand Development Council.
2023-02-10
News
Air cargo closes 2022 at near pre-pandemic levels
With our strong portfolio of expedited airfreight logistics services, we note that IATA has released data for global air freight markets showing that 2022 full-year demand for air cargo took a significant step back from 2021 levels, but was close to 2019 performance.
2023-02-06
News
Boeing hands over the last 747
With a strong presence in the airfreight market, the U-Freight Group must have loaded thousands of tonnes of freight onto Boeing 747 freighters since we were formed in 1968, and notes news that the aircraft manufacturer has handed over the final 747 freighter to be manufactured at the company’s wide body factory to Atlas Air.
2023-02-02
News
Boxport congestion back to pre-covid levels
Boxport congestion is now back to pre-covid levels according to one UK index. A key lever in the last couple of years of record earnings for liner shipping has disappeared, according to the latest data from Clarksons Research, and reported on the Splash247 website.
2023-01-31
News
Maersk to move to a single brand
Having noted last week the decision by Maersk and MSC to end the 2M Alliance from 2025, the U-Freight Group now reports that Maersk has declared that having multiple brands operating in the same market no longer fits its objectives for an integrated logistics offering, and it will move to a single, unified Maersk brand; retiring all acquired brands, including Hamburg Süd, Sealand and a host of others.
2023-01-30
News
Maersk, MSC to end 2M alliance
As a provider of international container shipping services, the U-Freight Group notes that Maersk and MSC will discontinue their 2M alliance in 2025 as the two companies pursue different strategies, after 10 years of operating in concert.
2023-01-26
News
Quiet Chinese New Year
With our array of international freight and logistics services to and from the country, the U-Freight group notes the underlying trend for air cargo is downward.
2023-01-24
News
Shipping lines cut 27% of Asia - Europe sailings
As a provider of international container shipping services, the U-Freight Group, notes that it has been predicted that the first seven weeks of 2023 will see 27% of Asia-Europe sailings axed as carriers respond to collapsed demand, according to a report by Alphaliner.
2023-01-23
News
TT Club outlines the threat of fraud on supply chains
The U-Freight Group (UFL), with our broad range of multimodal freight forwarding and logistics services notes a recent TT Club analysis that says that the predominance of online facilities to process business transactions "allows a myriad of fraudulent pursuits to find opportunities within the complexities of the global supply chain”.
2023-01-17
News
Container shipping market outlook for 2023
With our comprehensive portfolio of ocean freight forwarding services on the transpacific, the U-Freight Group notes was interested to read a very interesting item about the outlook for the container shipping sector in 2023, published on the Seatrade Maritime News website.
2023-01-12
News
IATA statistics send mixed signals for cargo as demand drops in November
The statistics show that airfreight demand in cargo tonne km terms (CTK) declined by 13.7% year on year in November.
2023-01-10
News
64 percent of global container capacity in hands of five shipping lines
The U-Freight Group, with our comprehensive portfolio of international container shipping services, notes that according to the latest available data from analyst Alphaliner, at the start of 2023, MSC is by far the largest container shipping line by teu capacity, followed by Maersk, then CMA CGM, COSCO and Hapag Lloyd.
2023-01-06
News
Tiaca positive for air cargo in 2023 despite tough outlook
With a strong presence in the airfreight market, the U-Freight Group welcomes the news that whilst air cargo association Tiaca is predicting another tough 12 months for air cargo demand, it also outlines positives for the industry.
2023-01-05
News
Shanghai continues as world's busiest container port
With a comprehensive portfolio of international ocean freight forwarding services through most of China’s main container shipping gateways, the U-Freight Group notes that according to media reports, Shanghai retained its position as the world’s busiest container port for the thirteenth consecutive year in 2022 despite emerging challenges from other ports including in China and Singapore’s new Tuas facility which began operations in 2022.
2023-01-05
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