US airlines increase freight volumes abroad 
Completing the data analysed on p. 13 of today's ITJ 09-10/2021, US airlines carried 1,854,000 t of cargo in December 2020 (preliminary), which is 17% more than in December 2019. The rise was fuelled by gains of 16% in domestic cargo and 20% in international cargo, according... more
Regular Asia-Americas service
The Singapore-based AAL Shipping (AAL) has decided to commit to one sailing per month between Asia and the Americas in 2021. With last year's experience of carrying a much broader portfolio of cargoes into Central America, United States Gulf of Mexico (USG), and the United... more
Fastrate Group widens its scope
Canadian Fastrate Group acquires ASL Distribution Services Limited (ASL), a 3PL provider that has been active in Eastern Canada for more than 60 years. The Fastrate Group, which was founded more than 50 years ago, started out as an LTL road haulier and intermodal carrier and... more
Two more CRJ200 freighter conversions
Miami-based MRO services provider Aeronautical Engineers (AEI) has signed a contract to provide Mexico-based Aeronaves T.S.M. (TSM) with two additional CRJ200 SF freighter conversions. The first CRJ200 of this order will commence in May 2021, followed by the second aircraft... more
MAJ warns of a seafarers' exodus
The Maritime Authority of Jamaica (MAJ) expressed its growing concerns about future seafarer shortages if the crew change crisis should continue. In a media release, the possibility of "exhausted crew choosing to leave the shipping industry rather than risk another long... more
Ryder on the run
For Ryder, which has been listed on the NYSE since 1960 and specialises in the vehicle sales, commercial rental and automotive supply chain business, the year 2020 was no success. Revenues shrank by 5.7% to USD 8.4 billion, falling over all four quarters. Nevertheless, operating... more
ASL converts option
Dublin-based ASL Aviation Holdings is taking up ten options for the 737-800 Boeing Converted Freighter. This follows the original agreement with Boeing for ten firm orders and ten options, announced at the Paris Air Show in 2019. They will be introduced to meet the requirements... more
Volumes to persist, says NRF
Ben Hackett, founder of Hackett Associates and in cooperation with the US National Retail Federation (NRF), recently pointed out that US retailers' sales and thus their imports to replenish inventories are set to continue booming throughout H1/2021. US retailers are... more
Counterfeiters strike wrong note
US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers at Washington Dulles International Airport recently seized 36 counterfeit guitars recently that if authentic, would have had a manufacturer’s suggested retail price of USD 158,692. The guitars arrived in 36 different shipments... more
Special hazmat load securely delivered
Woodinville Whiskey recently called upon Lynden’s subsidiary LTI to haul its premium 140-proof whiskey in the USA from Woodinville, WA to its aging and bottling facility in Quincy, WA. Because the whiskey is flammable, the load qualifies as a hazmat, food-grade load. LTI... more